GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The candidates for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat met face-to-face in Grand Rapids during a debate Tuesday.
Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican, and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, discussed a range of issues during the hourlong debate at WOOD TV8, from the Middle East to reproductive rights.
Here are four takeaways from Tuesday’s debate.
Watch a replay of the debate below. Click here for a replay with on-screen captions.
THE ECONOMY
As the top concern for most Michigan voters, the economy took center stage during the debate.
Rogers blamed Democrats for government spending, which he says raised the cost of many household items, including groceries. He emphasized the importance of energy independence, deregulation and cutting government spending.
Slotkin listed three items to improve the U.S. economy. She focused on improving the domestic supply chain, decreasing the cost of health care, prescription drugs and housing, and tax credits for middle-class families.
GOTION DEBATE
A point of contention during Tuesday’s debate was the Chinese-owned Gotion electric vehicle battery plants being built near Big Rapids.
Rogers, who has opposed the Gotion plant, argued against allowing Chinese-owned companies to build electric vehicles domestically.
Slotkin advocated for reinvesting in the domestic supply chain and for the U.S. to build the next generation of electric vehicles instead of China.
Rogers alleged Slotkin signed a nondisclosure agreement to support the creation of the Gotion plant. Slotkin denied ever signing any NDA with “any Chinese government, Chinese entity, Chinese company at all.”
She mentioned Rogers’ employment in the private sector at AT&T “when they were actively working to get Chinese companies in our (telecommunications).” Rogers said such “aspersions” were “unfortunate.”
IMMIGRATION
Both candidates argued illegal immigration was an issue facing this country.
Slotkin acknowledged that the country’s immigration system is “broken.” She called for more comprehensive legal vetted immigration.
“In my mind, we absolutely need to do more on the southern border,” she said. “To me, if you are not here legally, you should not be here. You should go back to your home country and be removed to your home country.”
Rogers said illegal immigration was costing the government billions and blamed illegal border crossings for the rise of fentanyl.
“This has been a catastrophe and we have seen absolutely nothing” from Congress, Rogers said. “I’m going to go back and I will fix and secure the border first thing.”
SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICAID AND MEDICARE
Slotkin said access to health care is “essential.” She advocated for Medicare to negotiate drug prices. She attacked Rogers’ voting history on Medicare and Social Security — accusations Rogers went on to rebut as “deceptive.”
Rogers said he advocated for the protection of Social Security funds when he was in Congress. He argued for a bipartisan solution to resolve the issues facing Social Security and bring down costs across the board.
