Michigan Senate Race Focuses on Costs and Energy Policy

0:00 Speaker 1 Michigan, an important state to the United States of America and to the Republican Party. With us today is Rona Romney McDaniel. And she was the GOP chair of the entire country. And now she went back home and she is worried about Michigan. Well, Rona, give us your evaluation.

0:21 Give us the pulse of the situation. What is going on in Michigan? And tell us what you’re doing in Michigan.

0:29 Speaker 2 Yeah, thanks, John. So great to be with you. I actually am a CEO of an organization called Michigan Forward. I was formerly the Michigan chair when we won for Trump for the first time in 30 years and never left Michigan. So in Michigan, we’re dealing with a lot of what you’re dealing with in New York. We have

0:46 our own mom, Donnie, running for the Senate here. His name’s Abdul El-Sayed, and he is truly frightening. He’s a socialist. He has aligned himself with many anti-American interests, and we are desperate to defeat him in the U.S. Senate here.

1:01 And it would flip a seat, actually Republican, a seat that the Democrats held. And Mike Rogers is currently the candidate running.

1:09 Speaker 1 Mike Rogers is a great candidate and loves America, former FBI. How close is it?

1:18 Speaker 2 So Fox had a poll yesterday that had Mike within one, which in Michigan is really good. We have not won a statewide race in Michigan. except for Donald Trump since 2016. So Mike being within one, uh, is really good, especially because Syed for his primary was pulling about 15 to 16 points ahead of his primary opponent and actually only

1:42 one by one point. So we do think there are voters right now who will not vote for Syed, but won’t tell it to the pollsters.

1:50 Speaker 1 Understood. And I agree with you because, uh, You know, they don’t want to tell the posters because they don’t know who the posters really are. Right. Now, you’re so close to Canada, and I know there’s some tensions going on between Canada and the United States. Is that affecting the vote at all?

2:11 Speaker 2 You know what really isn’t, John? The real issue in Michigan is affordability, just like across the country. Except our affordability issues, you can lay at the feet of Democrats. We passed in our state a Green New Deal in 2023, and since then, they have raised utility rates nine times in our state, and we have the highest utility rates

2:31 in the country ever. along with the highest auto insurance rates. So people are really hurting in our state. And we’ve had eight years of a Democrat governor. So this is a transition point for Republicans or for Michiganders. And we’re hoping Republicans can make some gains. And Mike Rogers is really the one leading the ticket in our state.

2:51 Speaker 1 Well, the bottom line is you’re looking for common sense versus what’s going on with the Socialist Party. And Mike Rogers’ opponent, is, I guess, he’s not a real Democrat. He’s a socialist Democrat.

3:08 Speaker 2 He is so frightening. And to think about this being the 25th year of 9-11 and to put somebody... or even consider having somebody go into the Senate who campaigns with a man like Hassan Piker, who said America deserved 9-11, who said over and over again that he hates America.

3:27 And Abdul Al-Sayed, the reason he’s responsible for this is he brought Hassan Piker into our state. He has chosen to bring this individual to campaign around Michigan. And these are deeply offensive things, but it shows his true ideology.

3:41 Speaker 1 And he is.

3:42 Speaker 2 paired himself with many, many anti-Americans. He’s taken money from people who have funded terrorist groups. So I hope Michiganders reject him, and we do not let socialism continue to move across this country like we’ve seen it start in New York with somebody like Mandani.

4:00 Speaker 1 Understood. How about your neighboring states? Can you speak about anything going on over there?

4:07 Speaker 2 Yeah, so, I mean, obviously the Senate map is favorable for Republicans, but you see, like John Husted is in a really tough battle in Ohio against Sherrod Brown. And Iowa, you see Ashley Hinson, who is in a tough battle to keep that Senate seat. So they really need to hold those two Republican seats. And then hopefully we can

4:30 flip one in Michigan and maintain control of the Senate. But affordability, John, is just an issue that’s hitting Americans across the country. And I do think that the president is working to address it and bring gas prices down.

4:44 And we need that heading into November.

4:46 Speaker 1 Understood. Well, Rona, we’re working very hard. And tell people how to contribute to help Michigan.

4:56 Speaker 2 Yeah, well, we’ve got a website called MichiganForward.com if you want to help us. We’re helping up and down the ticket. We appreciate any help. And MikeRogers.com for sure. Help Mike Rogers win the Senate seat.

5:09 Speaker 1 Well, Rona Romney McDaniel, thank you so much for coming on this Sunday morning. And I certainly have helped Mike Rogers in the past, and I’m going to continue to do that in the future.

5:22 Speaker 2 We’re so grateful for you. Always good to be with you, John. Thank you for having me.

5:25 Speaker 1 Take care. And say hello to your dad for me. I will.