(CBS DETROIT) — Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin and former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers have won their primary races for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, CBS News projects.
Slotkin was expected to defeat actor Hill Harper Tuesday, while Rogers was expected to defeat former rep. Justin Amash and Sherry O’Donnell.
Slotkin and Rogers will now face off in November in the general election for the seat held by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who announced last year that she would not seek re-election.
Many candidates had announced bids, but that soon whittled down to a handful of hopefuls vying for the seat Stabenow held for more than 20 years.
democrats currently holds a narrow margin in the Senate but defends significantly more mandates in the election in November. Michigan Republicans have not secured a Senate victory in Michigan since 1994.
With Slotkin in the Senate race, her House seat — Michigan’s 7th Congressional District — is up for grabs. Democratic candidate Curtis Hertel and Republican Tom Barrett, who are running unopposed, will battle in November for that seat.
Harper, who is best known for her role in the TV shows “CSI: NY” and “The Good Doctor”, told CBS News Detroit earlier this year he wanted to bring something different to the convention as a small business owner and parent.
Rogers has former President Donald Trump’s endorsement and the financial support of national Republicans in the fight for his party’s nomination. While businessman Sandy Pensler’s name was on the ballot, he dropped out of the race in July and has since endorsed Rogers.
The race has also mirrored many aspects of the US presidential election. Slotkin has campaigned to protect and expand reproductive rights while Rogers has criticized the Biden administration for its handling of border security.