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Mike in Gladstone

GLADSTONE -- U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers visited Gladstone Thursday as part of his bus tour through Michigan in the days leading up to the midterm election.

Rogers came to visit a modest crowd at Saunders Point Brewery in Gladstone. While there, he gave an address to attendees on issues that affect Michiganders in the Upper Peninsula, particularly affordability and the economy.

"In the last eight years we've lost 27,000 manufacturing jobs," Rogers said. "Our utilities are now the highest in the Midwest, our auto insurance rates are the highest in the country.

"The average new homeowner is 40 years old in Michigan. Our education system went from top tier, we are now 46 in the country."

Rogers relayed to the crowd that these issues were some of the reasons why the public should vote for him, stating, "We can absolutely get us back going in the right way, and when we do this, we're going to be the envy of the country."

Rogers also talked about his competitor, Abdul El-Sayed. Rogers recalled El-Sayed's response to the Temple Israel attack in West Bloomfield on March 12, 2026. Rogers stated that El-Sayed's response to the event was insufficient and that his ties to individuals like Hasan Piker were examples of El-Sayed's poor fit for the position of U.S. Senator. Rogers also opposed El-Sayed ideologically.

"You have the Democratic Socialist of America candidate with a side of Muslim Brotherhood... none of that sounds really good to me."

El-Sayed has explicitly disavowed the Muslim Brotherhood and repeatedly denied any personal or political affiliation with the organization, calling allegations connecting him to the group unsubstantiated and rooted in religious prejudice.

Rogers also talked about education in Michigan and the literacy crisis present in the state. He talked about the more than two-thirds of fourth grade students that could not read at grade level last year in the state, pointing out that there is a significant correlation between early reading development struggles and risks like future incarceration. According to Rogers, failures of Democratic leadership in Michigan are responsible for the current outcomes.

Rogers went on to recount stories about the communities he has met in Detroit through his campaign. He commented on the similarity amongst voters he has noticed across the state.

"They're just looking for some hope for their city, for their kids. You know what, so are we."

Rogers also said, "If we're going to fix the state, let’s try not to leave anyone behind. Let’s not leave the U.P. behind."

Rogers ended his talk by reaffirming the importance of this upcoming midterm.

"Remember, this isn't about left or right anymore, not after (El-Sayed) made the ballot," Rogers said, adding that the race is almost not about Republicans and Democrats anymore, given the support he has received in Detroit and Pontiac. "This is good versus evil."

Rogers continued, elaborating that, "this is about who we are as a country. This is about who we want our kids to inherit, and how much prosperity we want them to have and we don't want them growing up thinking America is the problem. We want them growing up thinking America is the solution."

During a brief Q&A session with local reporters following his address, Rogers fielded questions regarding reducing healthcare costs through transparency, the trustworthiness of election polls and incentivising housing development in the U.P.

After taking questions, Rogers remained on site to greet supporters and take photos before continuing on his U.P. bus tour.