Michigan Elects Elissa Slotkin, Rejecting Republican Attacks on Clean Energy Jobs
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Washington, D.C. – Today, Elissa Slotkin was elected U.S. Senator from Michigan, defeating Big Oil-backed Mike Rogers. Slotkin championed clean energy investments, while her opponent’s attacks on clean energy jobs and EVs proved to be a losing strategy with voters. In response to the results, Climate Power Executive Director Lori Lodes issued the following statement:
“Michiganders voted for the good-paying clean energy jobs fueling the state’s manufacturing boom by electing Elisa Slotkin to the U.S. Senate. Mike Rogers and his Big Oil-backed campaign spread lies about electric vehicles and the American jobs that are being created in Michigan, making it core to his campaign—and it backfired.”
“Elissa Slotkin proudly voted for the clean energy investments fueling Michigan’s manufacturing renaissance and as senator, will push for continued progress to bring down energy costs for all Americans. Slotkin’s win sends a strong message to all Republicans that Michigan’s clean energy boom is here to stay and any attempt to reverse the progress will fail.”
Climate and clean energy played a critical role in Michigan’s Senate race:
- The GOP’s Senate Leadership Fund spent over $33 million to boost Mike Rogers, with a large portion of that devoted to false and misleading ads attacking Elissa Slotkin over clean energy investments.
- While Elissa Slotkin campaigned on her vote for the clean energy plan, which has created more than 21,000 new jobs for Michiganders, Mike Rogers spread lies about the state’s growing EV industry.
- Mike Rogers built his campaign around a relentless and well-moneyed effort to smear Elissa Slotkin with false “EV mandate” ads and attack lines, blatant distortions about battery plants, and lies about the clean energy plan.
- According to analysis of TV, radio and trackable digital advertising, this assault on EVs came at the staggering cost of $24 million from Mike Rogers and his Big-Oil backed allies, compared to just over $1.5 million spent by Democratic campaigns and groups touting investments in EV jobs and manufacturing, a 15:1 ratio.