We reported earlier about the press conference that Republican candidate for the Michigan Senate seat, Mike Rogers, held with supporters who were Democrats. Some spoke about why they were supporting him, and how they could not support the Democratic candidate, Abdul El-Sayed.
Among the people who spoke was Michigan state Rep. Karen Whitsett. Whitsett had been a lifelong Democrat until she said she couldn't do it anymore in March because she did not believe that the party was in line with her values.
READ MORE: 'Impressive Flex': Mike Rogers Trolls El-Sayed After Debate Challenge, and This Is Getting Good
Whitsett spoke out against what she saw as the dangers of what El-Sayed was pushing. El-Sayed has said he wants to do away with private health insurance and replace it with Medicare for All. When Whitsett says that you will "lose your health insurance," I think she means what you have now, not that you wouldn't have any at all.
Michigan Democrat State Rep. Karen Whitsett on her support for @MikeRogersForMI:
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 20, 2026
“You will lose your health insurance if the other candidate gets in office…that is what Medicare for all means…common sense prevails that Mike Rogers is the candidate for you.” pic.twitter.com/0QMwL3l55k
"If you enjoy going to the ER now and sitting for six hours, get ready to enjoy that a whole lot longer, because you may be sitting there for six weeks," she observed. You will have to go wherever they say. "You say you don't want government in your business," she asserted. "Well, the government will be controlling your healthcare...They will control everything. So, if for no other reason, common sense prevails that Mike Rogers is the candidate for you,” she added.
That actually is the most concerning thought, when we see how much the government tends to handle most things.
How many times have we been told by the Democrats, "this is the healthcare fix"? Yet, it isn't. Obamacare was supposed to fix everything. But it didn't. Why should we believe anything they tell us now?
El-Sayed had trouble with working-class and black voters in the primary, and Whitsett shows one of the reasons why, when you look at basic issues like this.
She's also not the only one, as others spoke, and local news anchor for Fox 2 Detroit, Roop Raj, observed some important support for Rogers in the neighborhoods.
NEW: Senate candidate @MikeRogersForMI held a news conference in a Detroit neighborhood this morning. He is courting Black voters and Democrats who are on the fence with who to support in the November race. It’s not clear how big of a movement is it, but it’s notable that there… pic.twitter.com/WMQEyoreD4
— Roop Raj (@rooprajfox2) August 20, 2026
Senate candidate @MikeRogersForMI held a news conference in a Detroit neighborhood this morning. He is courting Black voters and Democrats who are on the fence with who to support in the November race. It’s not clear how big of a movement is it, but it’s notable that there are online communities and lawn signs that tout, “Democrats for Rogers” as you scroll on social or drive through some neighborhoods.
Sounds like those are important signs, from the signs.
In a close race, those could tell the tale.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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