Capitol News

As Michigan faces delays in food assistance and rising insurance premiums, former Senate candidate Mike Rogers attended a fundraiser at the Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia. The event, reported by The Detroit News, took place as the state experiences ongoing impacts from a Republican-led government shutdown.

Rogers, who resides in Florida and is considered the presumptive GOP nominee for Senate in Michigan, was featured as a special guest at the fundraiser hosted by Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton. According to an invitation obtained by The Detroit News, the joint fundraiser supports Cotton’s campaign, the Republican Majority Fund, America One, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Other guests included Senators Ted Budd of North Carolina and Tim Sheehy of Montana. Admission to the event began at $1,000.

The Salamander Resort & Spa offers amenities such as tennis courts, pools, an equestrian center, hiking and horseback riding trails, ziplining, and facilities for archery and ax-throwing training.

Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Joey Hannum commented on Rogers’ attendance: “Michigan families are struggling to put food on the table and watching their health care costs skyrocket because of the toxic price-hike agenda supported by Mike Rogers. Meanwhile, he’s living it up at a five-star spa resort and schmoozing with rich donors, proving once again this Florida mansion-dwelling multi-millionaire has absolutely no idea what working people are going through. Instead of pampering himself, Rogers should try to convince his party to keep kids from going hungry and families from losing their health care.”

Food assistance programs in Michigan have experienced interruptions due to a government shutdown led by Republicans. At the same time, insurance premiums have increased following recent changes linked to GOP-supported health-care policies.

More information about Rogers’ participation in the fundraiser can be found at The Detroit News: Insider: Rogers a guest at swanky fundraiser (https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2025/11/09/mike-rogers-senate-campaign-fundraiser-middleburg-salamander-resort-tom-cotton/71407377007/).