In a surprising turn of events at former President Donald Trump‘s campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Republican businessman Sandy Pensler announced his withdrawal from the U.S. Senate race and threw his unwavering support behind U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.
In his speech on Saturday evening, Pensler emphasized the importance of party unity and implementing Trump’s policies. “My campaign was always about making America better. The best way to do that is to enact President Trump’s policies,” Pensler said.
He added, “To do that, we need control of the Senate. A divisive continued primary effort hurts the chances of that, and that’s not OK. So tonight, I’m doing the right thing and ceasing my Senate candidacy. … It’s the right thing. President Trump endorsed Mike Rogers. Tonight, so am I.”
The businessman’s endorsement of Rogers was unequivocal. “Mike’s going to make a heck of a senator,” Pensler added, aligning himself with the broader Republican establishment, which has largely rallied around Rogers in recent months.
Newsweek contacted Pensler’s office via email on Saturday for further comment.
Pensler’s decision to back Rogers came as a dramatic moment during Trump’s rally, where both candidates were invited on stage by the former president. Trump, who had endorsed Rogers for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat in March, called the on-stage endorsement “beautiful to watch” and declared, “We’re unifying the party.”
Rogers, a former FBI agent and ex-chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, has been gaining momentum in the race. His endorsement by Trump and his recent speaking slot at the Republican National Convention (RNC) have solidified his position as the frontrunner for the GOP nomination.
With Pensler’s exit, the Republican field narrows significantly. The remaining contenders include former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash of Cascade Township, known for his past criticism of Trump, and Stevensville physician O’Donnell. However, Rogers’ campaign now appears to have a clear path to the nomination.
The consolidation of the Republican field comes at a crucial time, as the party aims to flip a Senate seat that has eluded them for three decades. The last Republican to win a U.S. Senate race 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 vying for their party’s nomination. The seat became open after long-serving Senator Debbie Stabenow announced she would not seek reelection.
The rally where this political maneuvering took place was Trump’s first since surviving an assassination attempt the previous weekend in Butler, Pennsylvania. The former president used the event to showcase his resilience, sporting a smaller, beige-colored bandage on his ear. In a striking moment, Trump claimed he “took a bullet for democracy,” referencing the incident and countering accusations from Democrats who have labeled him a threat to democratic institutions.
With the Senate race shaping up to be one of the most closely watched in the country, the GOP’s efforts to present a united front could play a crucial role in their attempt to reclaim the seat after a 30-year drought.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.