Michigan Senate Candidate Faces Residency Scrutiny as Campaign Shifts to Florida
In the midst of a contentious U.S. Senate campaign, Michigan Republican candidate Mike Rogers is once again facing intense scrutiny over his ties to Florida and concerns about his residency status. The accusations have resurfaced as Rogers resumed campaigning from his Cape Coral home in November, sparking questions about whether he truly considers Michigan his home.
Rogers, a former FBI agent and congressman, launched his Senate campaign in April 2025 after narrowly losing the previous year's election to Democrat Elissa Slotkin. This year's race is expected to be one of the country's most closely watched, with Democratic Sen. Gary Peters retiring and Michigan again emerging as a battleground.
On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and public health expert Abdul El-Sayed are vying for the seat. However, Rogers's campaign is facing stiff competition from his Republican counterparts, including former Michigan Republican Party co-chair Bernadette Smith, who entered the race in November.
Despite the significant fundraising advantages held by Rogers, he has struggled to shake off accusations of being a "carpetbagger" – someone who moves into an area for personal or financial gain rather than living there. The latest controversy surrounds his recent remarks on a right-wing radio show, where he jokingly expressed a desire to be "on the beach in Florida" while Michigan braced for a winter storm.
Rogers's campaign has been accused of deflection, with spokeswoman Alyssa Brouillet trying to shift attention away from residency concerns by highlighting the backgrounds of his Democratic opponents. However, these efforts have largely fallen flat, as the focus on Rogers's ties to Florida remains a dominant theme in the campaign.
During his 2024 campaign, Rogers faced similar scrutiny over his voter registration and addresses tied to him. The issue resurfaced when the home associated with him was demolished, raising questions about whether he had ever actually lived in Michigan.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, it remains to be seen how Rogers will address these concerns. For now, it appears that his residency status has become a significant liability, one that may ultimately impact his chances of securing the Senate seat.
In the midst of a contentious U.S. Senate campaign, Michigan Republican candidate Mike Rogers is once again facing intense scrutiny over his ties to Florida and concerns about his residency status. The accusations have resurfaced as Rogers resumed campaigning from his Cape Coral home in November, sparking questions about whether he truly considers Michigan his home.
Rogers, a former FBI agent and congressman, launched his Senate campaign in April 2025 after narrowly losing the previous year's election to Democrat Elissa Slotkin. This year's race is expected to be one of the country's most closely watched, with Democratic Sen. Gary Peters retiring and Michigan again emerging as a battleground.
On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and public health expert Abdul El-Sayed are vying for the seat. However, Rogers's campaign is facing stiff competition from his Republican counterparts, including former Michigan Republican Party co-chair Bernadette Smith, who entered the race in November.
Despite the significant fundraising advantages held by Rogers, he has struggled to shake off accusations of being a "carpetbagger" – someone who moves into an area for personal or financial gain rather than living there. The latest controversy surrounds his recent remarks on a right-wing radio show, where he jokingly expressed a desire to be "on the beach in Florida" while Michigan braced for a winter storm.
Rogers's campaign has been accused of deflection, with spokeswoman Alyssa Brouillet trying to shift attention away from residency concerns by highlighting the backgrounds of his Democratic opponents. However, these efforts have largely fallen flat, as the focus on Rogers's ties to Florida remains a dominant theme in the campaign.
During his 2024 campaign, Rogers faced similar scrutiny over his voter registration and addresses tied to him. The issue resurfaced when the home associated with him was demolished, raising questions about whether he had ever actually lived in Michigan.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, it remains to be seen how Rogers will address these concerns. For now, it appears that his residency status has become a significant liability, one that may ultimately impact his chances of securing the Senate seat.
. Can't he just own up to where he is and what he's doing? I mean, he moved to Florida for a reason, right? It's not like he's hiding something. But at the same time, I can see how it might look sketchy to some people. I'd want to know more about his situation too 
. Maybe just be honest about why he's there and what his goals are. That way, you can't go wrong 
. I mean, I get it, people got concerns but at the end of the day, he's still the same person who fought for justice as an FBI agent. I'm curious to see how this plays out tho... maybe he'll address it and put these rumors 2 rest or maybe it just becomes a campaign issue that folks can't seem 2 let go of 
. Everyone knows about his connections to Florida, I get it. But does he really have to rub it in our faces every time? 
The guy's trying to run a campaign here, not be the Florida state rep 
. And what's with all these questions about residency anyway? Can't we just move on from that old story already? 
he's basically admitting on live radio that florida is where his heart is and michigan is just a temporary stopover lol. and now his campaign is trying to deflect by highlighting the flaws in elissa slotkin's background? come on, dude, own up to it or get out of the race! 
. it's not like he abandoned michigan or something 
. maybe mike should've been more transparent from the start, but come on, don't crucify him over it 
. and btw, florida has some pretty lax laws when it comes to residency 
. it's not like he's gonna be stuck in florida forever 
... in his own mind, at least! "I wanna be on the beach in Florida" while Michigan is freezing? Like, dude, you're running for office here! Get a grip and get back to reality 
. And honestly, if I'm voting for him, it's gonna be because I want a senator who's always on vacation mode 
...
And what's up with the carpetbagger accusations - are those still a thing in politics now? 
This whole thing is just really confusing... 
I don't trust him as far as I can throw him... 
also, what's up with these people who try to deflect from the real issue by throwing shade at the other side? 