A group that has called itself “Democrats for Mike Rogers,” now renamed “Together for Michigan,” draws much of its money from Republican-aligned sources, Federal Election Commission filings show, according to The Bulwark’s Joe Perticone.
The PAC’s two largest contributions came from GLCF, Inc., a conservative super PAC that has already been airing pro-Rogers ads, which gave $50,000, and American Unity PAC, which supports GOP House candidates and gave $25,000. In all, the PAC has spent close to $5 million backing Rogers or attacking Democrat Abdul El-Sayed.
Some of its individual donors lean Republican too. Michigan donor Michael Sandler, who gave $1,000, has also given to GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. William Orgel of Tennessee, who gave $2,500, has supported Sen. Bill Hagerty and Nikki Haley’s 2024 bid. Fellow Tennessean Corey Trotz, with a record of giving to both parties, once donated to a Republican congressman in 2009.
The PAC’s treasurer is Karen Whitsett, a onetime Democratic legislator who appeared with Rogers at a campaign event last month. It also paid $30,000 to ex-Pontiac council member Melanie Rutherford for “Grassroots Consulting.” She then went on Fox News to promote Rogers and criticize El-Sayed, and the segment never mentioned the payments.
The Bulwark notes the filing probably doesn’t cover the period when the group operated as Democrats for Mike Rogers. Its X account has accused El-Sayed of being “endorsed by the enemies of America,” language that echoes Republican attacks.
Rogers has particularly been targeting Jewish Democrats, hoping to drive a wedge in the electorate over El-Sayed’s criticism of Israel. So far, though, the push has run into a number of challenges.
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