India Young is a senior honors student majoring in political science and African and African studies with a minor in journalism. Originally from Warren, AR, India has served as the President of the NAACP, Co-Deputy Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Associated Student Government and so much more. After college, India plans to pursue a Juris Doctor degree.
The Michigan U.S. Senate seat race between Elissa Slotkin (D) and Mike Rogers (R) has been highly competitive as it may be a determining factor of which party holds majority control of the U.S. Senate. Slotkin served as a CIA analyst until elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2019. Similarly, Rogers served in the House from 2001-2015 and was chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. The candidates are fighting tooth and nail to obtain the seat of retiring U.S. Senator, Debbie Stabenow.
Michigan has not elected a Republican Senator in the past twenty years, making the race an uphill battle for Rogers. However, the state has a rich history of swinging between parties in Presidential debates and as of the latest polls it is a possibility in the Senate race. The key issues determining which candidate residents will vote for are healthcare, cost of living, and environmental issues such as water safety.
Recent polls have shown Slotkin leading among women, Harris voters, union workers and college students. Rogers leads in men and non-college educated citizens. The October 8th debate between the candidates proved how hostile the environment can be in a close race. Both candidates were bitter and made attempts to weaponize each other’s resumes. Following the debate Slotkin’s eight point lead was sliced into a two point lead within the margin of error.
Both parties have poured generous amounts of funding into campaign spending and advertising. As of September 30th, Slotkin raised a total of $40.1 million, while Rogers raised $9.6 million for their campaign committees. Reports from the Federal Election Commission report show that Rogers leads in funding from super PACs with over $55 million spent on his behalf. Slotkin lags behind with $44 million on her behalf to date.
Prediction: Despite the tight race, I believe Elissa Slotkin will prevail and secure the Michigan Senate seat. As a current U.S. representative, Slotkin has built ties to communities in Michigan seen as the approachable “neighbor-next-door” that everyone would love to meet, much like Tim Walz. Slotkin’s policies on job security, affordable health care, and public safety will appeal to the majority of voters in Wayne, Kent, and Saginaw County – the determining counties of the race.