Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers launched a seven-figure ad campaign against his opponent, Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin, over her connection to a controversial deal to bring a Chinese battery company to the state.
The ad buy from Rogers, a former congressman, slams Slotkin for "sign[ing] a secret deal that helped a Chinese company—taking away jobs from Michigan workers."
The campaign comes after Rogers sent Slotkin cease-and-desist letters over her attack ads against him, which Rogers says are false. Slotkin had accused Rogers of helping Chinese tech companies.
In the new TV spot, Rogers addresses those ads, accusing Slotkin of "lying about [him] and [his] family."
He also says Slotkin "rubber stamped Biden’s agenda, driving up gas and grocery prices" and "pushed for EV mandates that are devastating the Michigan auto industry."
Slotkin has faced criticism in the race for signing a non-disclosure agreement related to Michigan’s deal with Gotion, a Chinese company, to open a battery plant.
The battery facility has caused division in the state, with critics objecting to the potential national security risks of a Chinese company operating sensitive energy infrastructure.
Critics have also raised concerns about government electric vehicle mandates and subsidies undermining the auto industry in Michigan.
"Slotkin has embraced lies and division as she tries to hide from her record of helping Biden and Harris drive up grocery prices, open our borders to violent crime and fentanyl, and punish Michigan autoworkers with EV mandates that enrich China," said Rogers for Senate communications director, Chris Gustafson.
The ad campaign started on Tuesday and will include TV and digital spots, the Rogers campaign told the Washington Free Beacon.