“Since [Rogers] left Congress almost 10 years ago, his record has shown he’s more interested in enriching himself and big corporations than he is working for Michiganders.” 

LANSING — Union leaders and veterans “raised concerns” about Mike Rogers “‘enriching himself’ at the expense of Michigan residents,” saying he “isn’t fit to represent Michigan” with his record showing “he’s more interested in enriching himself and big corporations than he is working for Michiganders.” They also spotlighted how Rogers’ “financial connections to China contradict… his stances against China.” 

Teamsters Local 406 Recording Secretary and U.S. Army veteran Tom Sidebotham pointed out how Rogers’ record of selling out Michigan “directly speaks to his willingness to answer whatever call has the most dollar signs in it.” 

Veteran and small business owner Jill Hinton Wolfe warned voters that Rogers’ record “puts him in a questionable position to best serve the American people.” She said “Michigan deserves a senator who puts our state’s families, veterans, and workers first—not someone who’s focused on lining their own pockets.”

Take a look at what Michiganders are reading and watching this week:

WOOD

Fox 17: Union members throw support behind Slotkin in Grand Rapids

• Democrats held a press conference in Grand Rapids Wednesday in support of Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, who is running for Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s seat in the U.S. Senate.
• Union members were in attendance.
• Organizers say Slotkin’s opponent, Mike Rogers, isn’t fit to represent Michigan. They claim Rogers’s record since leaving Congress nearly a decade ago suggests he has a greater interest in “enriching himself” and large corporations than advocating for Michiganders.
• The AFL-CIO, the largest union federation in the U.S., gave Rogers an 11% score on his voting record supporting the working middle class.
• “I don’t need the teachers’ union to tell me that’s a failing grade. After Rogers left Congress, he abandoned Michigan and cashed in on all the favors he did in the special interest in Washington … to make a fortune,” says Teamsters Local 406 Recording Secretary & U.S. Army Veteran Tom Sidebotham. “Union workers need a champion on their side, and that’s why the teamsters in Michigan will be voting for Slotkin in November.”

MIRS: Jill HINTON WOLFE, a U.S. Army veteran and small business owner, said… [Rogers’] post-public service career raised concerns for her. “After leaving Congress, Mike Rogers entered the corporate world, where he’s made millions as a consultant for major corporations, including those with troubling ties to foreign interests,” Hinton Wolfe said. She said the money Rogers has made puts him in a questionable position to best serve the American people. Posters hanging around the room state that Rogers has gained hundreds of thousands of dollars in wealth through companies that have partnered with Chinese firms. 

Gongwer: Democrats and union leaders held a[n]… event in Grand Rapids on Wednesday where they attacked Rogers for “enriching himself” at the expense of Michigan residents following his time in Congress. “Mike Rogers took the knowledge and connections he gained in Congress and used them to enrich himself, rather than continuing to serve the people of Michigan. Michigan deserves a senator who puts our state’s families, veterans, and workers first—not someone who’s focused on lining their own pockets,” Jill Hinton Wolfe, a veteran and small business owner, said in a statement.

See also: Detroit News: Mike Rogers targets China in Senate campaign, but his own connections draw criticism, Business Insider: 9 years through the revolving door: How the GOP’s top Senate recruit in Michigan got rich after leaving Congress, Heartland Signal: Michigan GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers connected to Saudi companies, including one with nuclear ambitions, Michigan Independent: Bankrolled by pharmaceuticals, Mike Rogers helped block Medicare price negotiation, Michigan Independent: Mike Rogers says he supports UAW strike but fought against union consistently in Congress, Heartland Signal: Michigan Senate candidate spews anti-China rhetoric despite working to expand Chinese companies and personal wealth, The Gander: Mike Rogers voted against reining in special interests. Now he’s running for US Senate, American Journal News: Mike Rogers’ ties to Chinese telecom giants fuel hypocrisy scandal, American Journal News: Michigan Republican Mike Rogers has repeatedly dodged questions about his work at AT&T, American Journal News: Michigan Republican Mike Rogers worked for organization that threatened privacy rights.

Note: Contact Sam Chan at [email protected] for a recording of the press conference.