Mike Rogers

Rogers backs continued U.S. defense support for the government of Israel, calling it politically naive to "walk in" and cut it off. In April 2026: "You don't have to love Israel, but you have to respect the fact that the nation is trying to defend itself and its people."

Rogers, a former House Intelligence Committee chairman, is the Republican Senate nominee. He left the House in 2015, so he has no tracked floor votes on this question; his record is statements and money, and the statements are consistent.

His August 2025 position is already quoted on this record: he called it "very short-sighted and politically naive" to walk in and cut off support, criticizing the Democratic field for "trying to out-left each other" on Israel. In an April 2026 Jewish Insider interview he said "You don't have to love Israel, but you have to respect the fact that the nation is trying to defend itself and its people," and warned about anti-Israel sentiment spreading on social media.

The same interview has him policing his own side: he warned Republicans against letting antisemitism creep "into the mainstream" from far-right influencers, saying it remains "fringe" but is "becoming more normal" in Michigan. In June 2026 he called disruptive anti-Israel campus protests "atrocious."

After Abdul El-Sayed won the August 2026 Democratic primary, Rogers began outreach to pro-Israel Jewish Democrats in Metro Detroit, presenting himself as the predictable pro-Israel choice in the general election.

Research

U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel

[Position, 2025-08-20, record's prior research] To Punchbowl News: "It is very short-sighted and politically naive to walk in and say we'r[e cutting off support]" (existing record quote); accused Michigan Democratic Senate candidates of "trying to out-left each other" on Israel.
[Position, 2026-04-01] Jewish Insider interview, read: the defend-itself quote (card). NOTE: earlier claims that this interview contains statements on "security integration and defense support" are not confirmed by the read; the interview's verified content is the defend-itself quote and the antisemitism warnings. A longer version of the quote (continuing "...who have maybe, probably, the most horrific history of being treated in the world of any other race on planet earth") does not appear in what we read and is carried here as reported only.
[Position, 2026-08, reported] Maintained that U.S. defense cooperation with Israel is essential to regional stability (no distinct source beyond the outreach coverage below).

U.S. aid to Palestinians

Nothing located.

Characterization of the conflict

[Position, 2026-04-01] Framed through Israeli self-defense (the card quote); expressed concern that social-media narratives critical of Israel are shifting young conservatives' attitudes (same JI interview).

Related rhetoric and lobbying

[Position, 2026-08-07] Post-primary outreach to pro-Israel Jewish Democrats in Metro Detroit (JI on the choice facing Jewish Democrats, JI on both campaigns' Jewish outreach, Jewish Chronicle on pro-Israel Jews' loyalties).
[Position, 2026-08, reported] Hannity appearance criticizing El-Sayed's foreign policy stances (no resolved source named).
[Position, 2026-08-13] El-Sayed accused Rogers of "hiding behind" attacks on him (WFMD); race context.
RJC support $17,250 this cycle ($65,715 lifetime) is a badge; not restated. A trackaipac Facebook post (400) and a michigan-faith-vote aggregator page are recorded as unused sources.

Safety and antisemitism (context)

[Position, 2026-04-01] Warned Republicans against far-right antisemitism creeping "into the mainstream"; "fringe" but "becoming more normal" in Michigan; elect candidates "who are more open to conversation about it" (JI interview, verified).
[Position, 2026-06-09, reported] Called aggressive anti-Israel campus protest disruptions "atrocious" on X.
[Position, 2026-07/08, reported] Meetings with community leaders on securing houses of worship and protecting Jewish institutions.