Michigan elections FAQ: Senate race heats up with big debate, big spending
- In new Michigan elections FAQ show, Bridge reporters highlight the high-stakes U.S. Senate race between Elissa Slotkin, Mike Rogers
- Outside money is flowing into the race as Slotkin, Rogers prepare to debate for the first time Tuesday night
- Reporters also discussed the presidential race, absentee ballots and answered reader questions about the Nov. 5 election
Don't look now, but Michigan's U.S. Senate race is heating up between Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Republican Mike Rogers.
With less than a month to go before the Nov. 5 election, Slotkin and Rogers will meet on stage Tuesday night for the first of two planned debates.
The televised event, hosted by WOOD TV8 in Grand Rapids, comes as outside groups like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s PAC pour money into ads for Rogers, who has trailed Slotkin in polls — but not by insurmountable margins.
Slotkin, a prolific fundraiser, says her campaign raised $18 million in the last quarter alone, and she's getting help from outside groups too.
"We have seen a lot of influence from Republican and Democratic aligned PACs alike, because the Senate's majority could be at stake," reporter Lauren Gibbons noted Monday in a new episode of Bridge elections FAQ.
"So be prepared to see a lot more attack ads as we get close to the election.”
Watch the full video in the player below:
Other highlights from the Monday show:
- Bridge reporter Mike Wilkinson discussed his deep dive on the state of the Michigan economy. On paper, the economy is strong. But "the average person has lost some ground," he said.
- Reporters answered reader questions about absentee ballots and discussed new criminal charges stemming from four rare occurrences of double voting in Macomb County.
- Reporter Jordyn Hermani answered a reader question about presidential candidates' plans for seniors and Social Security
There’s much more to watch in the full video above, which you can also find on the Bridge Michigan YouTube channel.
This free, online event was part of our Michigan elections FAQ series that aims to engage and inform readers about critical contests that will help shape the direction of our state and country.
Join us next week for another show on Monday, Oct. 14, at 11:30 a.m. Sign up now, and ask your question about Michigan elections here.
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