(WWJ) After a hotly contested race for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, Democrat Elissa Slotkin has narrowly defeated Republican Mike Rogers.
As of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Slotkin was ahead of former Congressman Rogers by around 19,000 votes — and appeared to be on her way to victory. With 99% of the votes counted, and such a thin margin, major news outlets said the race was still too close to call.
Shortly after 3 p.m.. the Associated Press declared Slotkin had won the seat being vacated by longtime Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who is retiring after four terms.
In a public address mid-afternoon, Slotkin said she expected to win.
While she said the outcome of the presidential election was not the one she wanted, she vowed to work across the aisle.
"Donald Trump and I were both elected by the people of Michigan," Slotkin said. "Tens of thousands of Michiganders voted for Donald Trump and Elissa Slotkin on the same ballot, and it is my responsibility to get things done for Michiganders no matter who's in office, just as I did in President Trump's first term."
"I'm a problem solver and I will work with anyone who is actually here to work," she said. "As your senator, that will always be my first priority."
Rogers conceded, and congratulated Slotkin on her victory, saying:
“I wish her the best as she serves the people of Michigan in the Senate.
I am humbled and honored for the millions of Michiganders who embraced our campaign, shared their thoughts, their concerns, their ideas, and put their faith and trust in me to serve our great state as their U.S. Senator. I’m also proud to have run on the ticket with our President-elect, Donald J. Trump, and I have no doubt that he is going to help move Michigan and America forward.
Michigan will always be home, and serving our state has been the honor of my life. While it won’t be in the U.S. Senate right now, I will continue to serve Michigan now and into the future."
Speaking shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday at a Democratic watch party at Detroit’s Motor City Casino, Slotkin had told supporters there were “still a lot of votes to count” and they always expected to be in a tight race.
In the early morning hours, WWJ Newsradio 950’s Tim Pamplin reported from the Suburban Collection Showplace that the mood there at the Republican watch party was “upbeat” and supporters were “riveted” while watching Election Night coverage.
“We’ve worked hard for seven months to bring this state home for Donald Trump, for Mike Rogers and all of that and all the indications we’re seeing… right now we’re in a good position,” one supporter told Pamplin.
That was before things took a turn later in the morning.
Nationally, Republicans regained control of the Senate for the first time since 2020.
The race between Rogers and Slotkin saw more than $140 million spent by outside groups — ranking behind only three other races in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Montana, according to a report from The Detroit News.
The two candidates’ campaigns also spent a combined $52 million through Oct. 16, the vast majority by Slotkin, according to the report.