During a surprising twist at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Republican entrepreneur Sandy Pensler dropped out of the U.S. Senate race and pledged his full support to U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, in what was a significant endorsement for Rogers’ campaign.
In his speech on Saturday night, Pensler highlighted the importance of party unity and the implementation of former President Donald Trump’s policies. He expressed, “My goal was always to improve America, and the best way to achieve that is by enacting President Trump’s policies.”
Pensler stated, “To achieve this, we need control of the Senate. Continuing a divisive primary battle would hinder that goal, which is unacceptable. Therefore, tonight, I am making the decision to end my Senate bid. … It’s the right course of action. President Trump has endorsed Mike Rogers. Tonight, I am endorsing him too.”
Pensler’s endorsement of Rogers was resolute. “Mike will make an exceptional senator,” Pensler commented, aligning himself with the broader Republican establishment, which has been largely backing Rogers in recent months.
Pensler’s backing of Rogers occurred dramatically during Trump’s rally, where both candidates joined the former president on stage. Trump, who had officially endorsed Rogers for Michigan’s Senate seat in March, described the on-stage endorsement as “beautiful” and proclaimed, “We are uniting the party.”
Rogers, a former FBI agent and previous chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, has been gaining momentum in the race. His endorsement by Trump and recent appearance at the Republican National Convention (RNC) have solidified his status as the frontrunner for the GOP nomination.
With Pensler’s departure, the Republican field has significantly narrowed. The remaining competitors include former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash of Cascade Township, recognized for his prior criticism of Trump, and Stevensville physician O’Donnell. Nonetheless, Rogers’ campaign now seems to have a clear path to the nomination.
The consolidation of the Republican candidates comes at a critical juncture as the party aims to win back a Senate seat that has eluded them for three decades. The last Republican to secure a U.S. Senate victory in Michigan was Spencer Abraham in 1994.
On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Holly and actor-activist Hill Harper of Detroit are competing for their party’s nomination. The vacancy emerged after long-time Senator Debbie Stabenow announced she would not run for reelection.
The rally where this political maneuvering unfolded marked Trump’s first appearance since surviving an assassination attempt the previous weekend in Butler, Pennsylvania. At the event, the former president showcased his resilience, displaying a smaller, beige bandage on his ear. Trump controversially claimed he “risked everything for democracy,” alluding to the incident and dismissing accusations from Democrats branding him as a democratic institution threat.
As the Senate race gains intense national attention, the GOP’s efforts to present a united front could be pivotal in their endeavor to regain the seat after a 30-year gap.