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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) may be energizing the Democratic Party’s progressive base, but Republicans believe her growing influence could ultimately help them win one of the most important Senate races in the country.
Former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), who narrowly lost Michigan’s Senate race by about 20,000 votes in 2024, says the Democratic Party has shifted sharply to the left—and he believes that could push independent and moderate voters toward the GOP in November.
With millions of dollars pouring into Michigan and national political figures jumping into the race, the battle is quickly becoming one of the biggest contests of the 2026 midterm elections.
Mike Rogers Says Democrats Have Moved Too Far Left
Rogers didn’t hold back when describing what he sees happening inside the Democratic Party.
“The shift in the last few months has been pretty remarkable, and what that should do is terrify every Michigander that the Democrat Party has lurched so far to the left,” Rogers told the New York Post.
He also singled out Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), arguing they are driving the party’s direction.
Rogers argued that Michigan Democrats have embraced an increasingly progressive agenda, saying Ocasio-Cortez has become a leading force behind the party’s direction while Bernie Sanders continues to encourage that shift. He described the political trend as extreme and out of step with many Michigan voters.
The Republican candidate believes many Michigan voters are looking for practical solutions on jobs, manufacturing, and the economy rather than embracing increasingly progressive policies.
High-Stakes Democratic Primary Draws National Attention
Rogers made the comments just days before Michigan Democrats vote in a closely watched Senate primary that has attracted attention from across the country.
The race pits Rep. Haley Stevens, who is backed by many establishment Democrats, against progressive candidate Abul El-Sayed, whose campaign has received endorsements from both Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders.
While El-Sayed has not identified himself as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, he has become a favorite among many progressive activists.
Stevens has secured endorsements from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, retiring Sen. Gary Peters, and several well-funded outside organizations.
According to OpenSecrets, outside groups have already spent roughly $60 million on the Michigan Senate race, underscoring just how important the contest has become for both parties.
Polls Show Momentum Shifting
Recent polling indicates El-Sayed has gained significant momentum heading into primary day.
The RealClearPolitics polling average gives him a double-digit lead over Stevens, while an Emerson College survey released Thursday found El-Sayed leading 54% to 39%.
Earlier polling from the Michigan Education Association suggested Rogers would hold a comfortable lead over El-Sayed in a hypothetical general election while trailing Stevens by only a single percentage point.
Although Rogers declined to publicly say which Democrat he would rather face, he acknowledged that El-Sayed appears to have the advantage entering Tuesday’s vote.
“What I do see is a trend that Abdul is probably the likely winner on Tuesday, and probably by double digits,” Rogers said. “The shift in the last few months has been pretty remarkable.”
Democratic Infighting Escalates
The Democratic primary has become increasingly heated as Election Day approaches.
Stevens recently labeled El-Sayed a “celebrity candidate,” while El-Sayed faced criticism over financial disclosures showing he owns rental property in Dubai. At the same time, he urged supporters to stop mocking Stevens’ Michigan accent on social media.
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman also entered the debate by criticizing El-Sayed over his comments regarding Israel’s war against Hamas, highlighting the growing divide between establishment Democrats and the party’s progressive wing.
The increasingly public disagreements have drawn even more national attention to Michigan’s Senate race.
Rogers Focuses On Michigan Jobs And Experience
Rather than centering his campaign on political infighting, Rogers says he is focused on strengthening Michigan’s economy, expanding manufacturing jobs, rebuilding the state’s defense industrial base, and improving educational opportunities.
“I’m the only guy here that’s actually worked in a factory,” Rogers said. “I had to work my way through school with no silver spoon in my mouth.”
Rogers also points to his record as a former FBI special agent, his service representing Michigan in Congress from 2001 through 2015, and his leadership as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
He argues that his background gives him firsthand experience dealing with national security, economic growth, and issues important to Michigan families.
Republicans See A Major Opportunity
National Republicans increasingly view Michigan as one of their strongest pickup opportunities in the 2026 election cycle.
With Democrats engaged in a costly and increasingly ideological primary battle, GOP strategists believe the eventual nominee could emerge weakened before the general election begins.
Rogers said Republican organizations are already preparing an aggressive advertising campaign for the fall.
“They’ve already pledged to buy $45 million worth of ads in September and October,” he said.
As the Democratic primary enters its final stretch, both parties recognize that Michigan could play a pivotal role in determining control of the U.S. Senate. Whether Rogers’ prediction proves accurate will become clearer after primary voters make their choice, but one thing is certain: Michigan is shaping up to be one of the nation’s most closely watched political battlegrounds.