'Common sense vs. complete insanity': GOP's Mike Rogers reacts to El-Sayed nomination

Former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., on Wednesday presented the Michigan Senate race as a choice between level-headed governance and radicalism after progressive Abdul El-Sayed won the Democratic nomination.

Rogers faced no opponent in the Republican primary and is set to face El-Sayed in November. The progressive defeated Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., in what many analysts saw as a battle between the Democratic Party establishment and its progressive base. But the contest was unexpectedly close and the Associated Press did not call the race for El-Sayed until Wednesday morning.

Rogers, for his part, went on the offensive shortly after El-Sayed's win.

“The choice this November is simple: common sense or complete insanity," he said in a statement. "For more than 25 years, one party has controlled Michigan's two Senate seats — and they've run our state into the ground. They've driven 200,000 manufacturing jobs out of Michigan. They've dropped our schools to 45th in the nation. They've saddled families with the highest utility rates in the Midwest. Working people are paying more, earning less, and getting left behind."

"And now the same failed politicians are asking us to send Abdul El-Sayed to Washington. Abdul isn't just another liberal. He's an extremist," he added.

"Abdul doesn't represent a vision for the future. He's leading a movement grounded in ideological fanaticism. His agenda would make our communities less safe and our state less affordable," Rogers went on. "This election isn't just about choosing a Senator. It's about deciding whether Michigan has a future built on common sense — or whether we hand the keys to the most fringe extremists in the nation."

The characterization of the race is likely to be a common theme for Republicans campaigning this election cycle, as many increasingly find themselves pitted against insurgent progressives, many of whom ousted incumbent lawmakers.

Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., has found himself in a similar position after socialist William Lawrence managed to defeat former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink for the Democratic nod in the state's 7th Congressional District. That district, which is centered on Lansing, is regarded as a toss-up and could prove pivotal to the battle for the House.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.