Slotkin is ‘going to bed with China,’ says Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers

MILWAUKEE—Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers accused his Democratic opponent, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, of “getting into bed with the Chinese Communist Party” and supporting energy policies that will “kill American jobs” in a speech to the Republican National Convention on Tuesday.

Rogers, a former congressman, criticized Slotkin for allegedly signing a nondisclosure agreement with controversial Chinese battery company Gotion, which plans to build a major factory in Michigan.

“It’s impossible to build an electric vehicle without cooperating with the Chinese Communist Party,” Rogers said. “My opponent even signed an agreement to use taxpayer money to bring a Chinese battery company to Michigan.”

Rogers added that he would “never put the future of our children or, more specifically, the auto industry in Michigan in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.”

China has become an issue in the Senate election in Michigan, one of the most competitive races in the country. Republicans are criticizing Gotion’s planned battery factory, citing national security risks and fears that electric car regulations could jeopardize U.S. manufacturing jobs.

Rogers pointed out that “electric vehicles require 40 percent less labor to build than internal combustion engine cars” and that “85 percent of the critical minerals needed to build them are processed in China.”

The race in Michigan has tightened in recent weeks, with the Cook Political Report moving it from the “leaning Democratic” category to the “undecided” category. Incumbent Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow announced her retirement last year.

Slotkin has privately expressed concerns about Biden’s chances of winning the race. She told donors earlier this month that her internal polls show former President Donald Trump in the lead.

Slotkin did not appear with Biden on his recent trip to Detroit.

The Senate election could decide the party’s control of the upper house next year. Slotkin is the front-runner in the Democratic primary, which will take place on August 6. Rogers is the front-runner in the Republican primary.