Following the debate between Mike Rogers and Elissa Slotkin on Oct. 14, both candidates answered questions regarding the upcoming election and policies brought up during the discussion. The race for the Michigan Senate seat is vital for the future of the swing state. In addition to both candidates sharing their thoughts, Senator Debby Stabenow highlighted her support for Slotkin, as this is her last term. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II also showed up in support of Slotkin.
What’s your message for Oakland University students?
“If you’re worried about your future, if you’re worried about your ability to buy a house, to get a job, then I’m your guy. So, if you look at all of the costs, all of the big-size government, all of the intervention and the mandates that came in is causing a real hurdle for your generation and those students generation to actually get jobs, move up, have better opportunities,” Rogers shared.
For undecided voters, talk about the biggest differences between yourself and your opponent
“The issue I was really glad came out today that didn’t come out in our last debate, is gun violence and gun safety. The district that I represent and the district that he used to represent, has had two mass shootings since he left … to me this is an issue. The number one killer of children in America under 21 is gun violence. I feel passionate about it,” Slotkin said.
“We’re an automotive state. We have about 1.1 million workers who are employed by building something related to a gas engine. Ford said 40% less labor on EV mandates, that’s 400,000 jobs … I worked on an assembly line. I know how important this work is. They’re [automotive workers] afraid for their future … I’m going to look out for automobile manufacturing and all manufacturing in the state,” Rogers said.
Given the recent damages in Florida and Congress asking for more money, where do you stand with FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency]?
“First thing they have to do is stop spending money that’s at Homeland Security that is designated for FEMA on illegal immigrants. Some $700 million got diverted — that could have gone into FEMA … they have got to get their head right. They’ve got to secure the border and stop spending money on illegal immigrants,” Rogers responded.
Thoughts on tonight’s performance
“Congresswoman Slotkin actually has a solution and response for the number one killer of children. Mike Rogers accepts that children should just die from gun violence. He had nothing to say and no plan and no responsibility … that is ridiculous and offensive to me as a parent and to everyone who believes that children should be able to live free in the fear of gun violence,” Gilchrist said.
Congresswoman Slotkin told us last week that she thinks Senate Democrats haven’t been proactive enough on abortion, and if she was elected to the Senate, she would come up with a five-year plan to restore federal abortion rights. Do you feel like her criticisms of Senate Democrats are fair?
“I think we have pushed very hard on this issue, bringing up a vote on IVF, bringing up reproductive freedom, bringing up issues to protect birth control, but she’s right, that there’s more that needs to be done, and frankly, to do that, we need to end the filibuster, which Congresswoman has indicated she wants to get done,” Stabenow shared.
Are you going to miss working as a Senator?
“I have to say I have loved; I truly love representing Michigan in the United States Senate. For me, I’m feeling good about maybe knowing that Elizabeth Slotkin will continue on the good fight from Michigan … She has the right values,” Stabenow said.
