GOP businessman Sandy Pensler endorses Mike Rogers in U.S. Senate race

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Large rapids — Republican businessman Sandy Pensler announced Saturday that he is withdrawing from the race for U.S. Senate and supporting his main opponent, former U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers.

The development brings Rogers one step closer to securing the GOP nomination in what is expected to be a highly competitive Senate race this fall.

Pensler announced his decision to endorse Rogers during Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s rally in Grand Rapids Saturday night.

“My campaign has always been about making America a better place, and the best way to do that is to carry out President Trump’s policies,” Pensler said.

“To do that, we need control of the Senate. A divided, ongoing primary campaign hurts our chances of that, and that’s not okay. So tonight I’m doing the right thing and ending my run for Senate. … It’s the right thing. President Trump endorsed Mike Rogers. Tonight I’m doing the same.”

“Mike is going to be a great senator,” Pensler added.

Pensler announced his withdrawal from the race after Trump invited him and Rogers onstage at his rally, noting that Pensler “wanted to do something very important tonight.”

Trump called Pensler’s onstage endorsement of Roger “beautiful to see.”

“We are uniting the party,” Trump said.

As Pensler made his announcement, several people in the crowd could be heard shouting “Sherry,” an apparent reference to the grassroots GOP candidate for Senate, Sherry O’Donnell.

Trump endorsed Brighton’s Rogers for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat in March. Republican leaders have generally rallied around Rogers, including a speaking slot at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday.

More: Republican rivals attack Rogers as Senate favorite, allies rebuff criticism

Rogers is a former FBI agent and former chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee.

But Pensler, of Grosse Pointe Park, has poured $5 million of his own money into the primary, running TV ads that have criticized Rogers’ record as a congressman. Some of Pensler’s ads have criticized Rogers’ role in the investigation into the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attack, a decade ago.

Pensler’s departure from the race would leave only former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash of Cascade Township, who has spoken out against Trump in the past, and O’Donnell, a Stevensville physician, in the running for the Republican nomination.

The Senate seat became vacant this year after Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) decided not to seek re-election.

U.S. Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin of Holly and actor and businessman Hill Harper of Detroit are vying for the Democratic nomination.

In Michigan, no Republican has won a Senate election in 30 years.

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