LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republican Mike Rogers, who served in Congress for 14 years and chaired the House Intelligence Committee, is working for an open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan that Democrats have held for over twenty years.

The announcement, which was supplied to The Associated Press in a marketing campaign video on Wednesday, immediately shakes up a Senate race that had been comparatively quiet and dominated by Democratic candidates. It’s seen as a recruiting victory for Michigan Republicans, who've struggled to win statewide races with a state celebration in turmoil.

A former Marine and FBI agent, Rogers was elected to Congress in 2000 and served seven phrases within the House, the final two as chair of the committee that oversees U.S. intelligence businesses. He left workplace in 2015 and served briefly on Trump’s transition staff as an adviser on nationwide safety points.

“I thought I put politics behind but, like you, I know something’s broken,” Rogers mentioned within the marketing campaign video that assaults President Joe Biden.

“No candidate is better prepared to have an impact on day one. I’m ready to serve again,” Rogers continued.

The 60-year-old Rogers turns into the fourth Republican to enter the race, becoming a member of candidates together with state Board of Education member Nikki Snyder. The GOP area is anticipated to develop within the coming months with a number of Republicans, together with former U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, nonetheless contemplating campaigns.

A shock retirement announcement from longtime Sen. Debbie Stabenow in January created a large open race for a seat she had held since 2001. The GOP has not received a Michigan U.S. Senate race since 1994.

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, entered the race in February and has constructed a big fundraising and endorsement benefit over all different candidates.

Defending the Michigan seat could show essential for Democrats, who face powerful headwinds as they defend seats in Republican-leaning states from West Virginia to Montana and Ohio. Republicans want to take management of the Senate in 2024; Democrats presently maintain a slim 51-49 majority.

Rogers had initially denied rumors he deliberate to run for Senate following Stabenow’s announcement and explored a presidential bid earlier this 12 months, touring to New Hampshire and Iowa to speak with voters and native media.

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