Capitol News

LANSING — Recent reporting from The ‘Gander indicates that Mike Rogers, a former GOP Senate candidate, accepted a $12,000 campaign donation from John W. Childs. Childs is described as a billionaire GOP donor and former private equity executive who was charged in 2019 with soliciting prostitution during a multi-state investigation into human trafficking involving Florida massage parlors.

When the charges against Childs became public in 2019, other Republican officials such as then-U.S. Senators Martha McSally and Mike Braun returned his donations. According to The ‘Gander, “Rogers’ campaign didn’t immediately respond to questions about the campaign contribution.”

Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Joey Hannum commented on the situation: “Mike Rogers’ willingness to accept thousands of dollars from someone charged in a human trafficking investigation shows a serious lack of judgment and proves he’s willing to be soft on crime when it benefits his campaign. It’s clear Rogers is beholden to his extreme out-of-state donors — whether it’s billionaires accused in prostitution stings, Christian nationalists, or anti-abortion extremists. He’s in this race to advance their agenda and protect his own interests, not to fight for Michiganders.”

A review by The ‘Gander of Federal Election Commission records showed that Rogers’ campaign received the $12,000 contribution from Childs on August 7. The same law enforcement operation that led to charges against Childs also involved New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former Citigroup president John Havens. Authorities reported that women were brought into the United States under false pretenses and forced into sexual servitude at various day spas and massage parlors.

Childs denied the allegations but resigned from J.W. Childs Associates after media coverage intensified. At the time, several Republican politicians quickly returned contributions they had received from him.

The report also notes that nearly all financial support for Rogers' Senate campaign has come from Tim Dunn, a Texas oil executive known for supporting far-right causes including efforts to ban abortion without exceptions and promoting private Christian education over public schools. Campaign finance records show Dunn contributed $5 million to a super PAC backing Rogers, making up about 98% of its fundraising this year.

Additionally, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America—a national anti-abortion group—has launched a $4.5 million effort supporting Rogers' Senate bid in Michigan next year. This organization requires endorsed candidates to back new federal abortion restrictions even in states like Michigan where voters have already protected reproductive rights through constitutional amendments such as Proposal 3 passed in 2022.

During his congressional tenure, Rogers supported federal abortion bans and personhood legislation that could impact access to IVF and certain birth control methods; he also criticized Roe v. Wade as “a travesty.”

These developments illustrate how out-of-state donors are playing a significant role in funding campaigns ahead of competitive elections in Michigan.