Race to fill open Michigan Senate seat is rocked by endorsement of GOP candidate by farm bureau

The race for the open Senate seat in Michigan just heated up as Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., took a hit this week when the Michigan Farm Bureau’s AgriPac endorsed former Rep. Mike Rogers, her Republican opponent. It marked the first time the group has endorsed a Republican candidate for the Senate since 2006. 

In 2012 and 2018 the group endorsed Democrat Debbie Stabenow. 

The group is considered very influential in Michigan, according to Fox News, as agriculture is one of top three industries in the state. Farming contributes "over $100 billion annually to the state's economy," according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and it employs nearly a million people, or 22% of Michigan's employment.

"I'm honored and grateful to have earned the endorsement of AgriPac and the farmers across Michigan who feed our nation and power Michigan's economy," Rogers said in a statement.

"Michigan farmers are struggling mightily under the current administration with rising input costs and burdensome government regulations, and now for the first time in American history we are importing more food than we export. As Michigan's Senator, our farmers know I'll always have their back, and I'll fight to lower costs, slash needless regulations, and pass the Farm Bill, so farmers can thrive and leave a lasting legacy for the next generation to succeed and feed the world," he wrote.

Michigan Republican strategist Jason Roe said the endorsement is "pretty damn significant," according to Fox News Digital.

"Slotkin serves on the House Agriculture Committee and her patron, Debbie Stabenow, is chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. I imagine they are both pretty p---ed about that decision," he said.