Rogers' Radical Right-Wing Team: The Dark Side of a U.S. Senate Bid
Michigan Republican candidate Mike Rogers has assembled a team of extremist pastors and activists who have long opposed LGBTQ+ rights and promoted false claims about election fraud, according to a review by the Detroit Metro Times.
The "Faith Coalition Leadership Team" is comprised of hard-right conservatives with documented histories of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. This includes individuals who openly oppose gay marriage, LGBTQ+ rights, and even conversion therapy on minors. The team also promotes extreme anti-gay rhetoric that describes LGBTQ+ rights as "demonic, satanic, and wicked."
Rogers' own record of voting against LGBTQ+ protections during his time in Congress is consistent with the makeup of this coalition. He consistently opposed expanding federal protections for LGBTQ+ people, including voting against efforts to add sexual orientation or gender identity to federal civil rights statutes.
One prominent member of the coalition is Linda Lee Tarver, a former Michigan Civil Rights Commissioner who repeatedly fought efforts to extend basic protections to LGBTQ+ residents while serving on the commission. Tarver's public statements went even further, calling for an outright rejection of federal LGBTQ+ protections and labeling them as "godless, demonic, satanic, and wicked."
Other coalition members include Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, who has preached that LGBTQ+ civil rights undermine Christian teachings; Pastor Brian Ford, whose church labels homosexuality as a "sexual perversion"; and State House Rep. Luke Meerman, who opposed state legislation banning conversion therapy on minors.
The team also includes attorney Alexandria Taylor, an election conspiracy theorist who was sanctioned by a Wayne County judge for filing a baseless lawsuit claiming widespread wrongdoing in Detroit's 2022 election. The coalition's extremist views are further exemplified by Sewell's claims of "systemic voter fraud" during the 2024 Detroit election and his statement that "we don't have fair elections; we're like China."
Rogers' campaign has downplayed the extreme positions of the coalition members, suggesting he couldn't possibly know their views. However, critics say this is a disingenuous attempt to distance himself from the radical elements within his own party.
The Michigan Democratic Party has denounced Rogers for surrounding himself with divisive figures at a time when residents are already divided. "Mike Rogers is surrounding himself with election deniers and extremists who want to ban marriage equality and force conversion therapy on minors—all while championing policies that make life more expensive and rip away health care," the party spokesperson Joey Hannum said.
As Rogers' campaign builds on faith, family, and freedom, it's essential to examine the true nature of his team. By assembling a coalition of radical right-wing individuals who promote false claims about election fraud and oppose LGBTQ+ rights, Rogers is putting forward a fundamentally divisive agenda that pits neighbors against each other.
Michigan Republican candidate Mike Rogers has assembled a team of extremist pastors and activists who have long opposed LGBTQ+ rights and promoted false claims about election fraud, according to a review by the Detroit Metro Times.
The "Faith Coalition Leadership Team" is comprised of hard-right conservatives with documented histories of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. This includes individuals who openly oppose gay marriage, LGBTQ+ rights, and even conversion therapy on minors. The team also promotes extreme anti-gay rhetoric that describes LGBTQ+ rights as "demonic, satanic, and wicked."
Rogers' own record of voting against LGBTQ+ protections during his time in Congress is consistent with the makeup of this coalition. He consistently opposed expanding federal protections for LGBTQ+ people, including voting against efforts to add sexual orientation or gender identity to federal civil rights statutes.
One prominent member of the coalition is Linda Lee Tarver, a former Michigan Civil Rights Commissioner who repeatedly fought efforts to extend basic protections to LGBTQ+ residents while serving on the commission. Tarver's public statements went even further, calling for an outright rejection of federal LGBTQ+ protections and labeling them as "godless, demonic, satanic, and wicked."
Other coalition members include Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, who has preached that LGBTQ+ civil rights undermine Christian teachings; Pastor Brian Ford, whose church labels homosexuality as a "sexual perversion"; and State House Rep. Luke Meerman, who opposed state legislation banning conversion therapy on minors.
The team also includes attorney Alexandria Taylor, an election conspiracy theorist who was sanctioned by a Wayne County judge for filing a baseless lawsuit claiming widespread wrongdoing in Detroit's 2022 election. The coalition's extremist views are further exemplified by Sewell's claims of "systemic voter fraud" during the 2024 Detroit election and his statement that "we don't have fair elections; we're like China."
Rogers' campaign has downplayed the extreme positions of the coalition members, suggesting he couldn't possibly know their views. However, critics say this is a disingenuous attempt to distance himself from the radical elements within his own party.
The Michigan Democratic Party has denounced Rogers for surrounding himself with divisive figures at a time when residents are already divided. "Mike Rogers is surrounding himself with election deniers and extremists who want to ban marriage equality and force conversion therapy on minors—all while championing policies that make life more expensive and rip away health care," the party spokesperson Joey Hannum said.
As Rogers' campaign builds on faith, family, and freedom, it's essential to examine the true nature of his team. By assembling a coalition of radical right-wing individuals who promote false claims about election fraud and oppose LGBTQ+ rights, Rogers is putting forward a fundamentally divisive agenda that pits neighbors against each other.
. As a student, I've seen firsthand how people's opinions can be swayed by extreme views, especially when it comes to social issues like LGBTQ+ rights. It's really concerning that someone as high-profile as Mike Rogers is surrounding himself with individuals who promote false claims and discriminatory rhetoric.
. Not to mention, they're spreading lies about election fraud and trying to discredit our democratic process 
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. We can't let people like Mike Rogers get away with perpetuating hate speech and misinformation. As students, we need to be the ones speaking out against these kind of divisive agendas and promoting inclusivity and understanding instead 
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The presence of individuals who promote demonic rhetoric towards the LGBTQ+ community is disturbing, especially during a time when residents in Michigan are already divided.
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I'm really worried about Mike Rogers' Senate bid 
. They're so extreme and hateful, it's like they're trying to divide us as a community. LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, but they don't get that from this coalition 
. And what really gets me is that Rogers' campaign is downplaying these people's views. That's just not true leadership 
. We need leaders who can bring people together, not drive them apart. This is just a recipe for disaster 
. These pastors and activists are spewing hate speech left and right, and it's shocking that anyone would support this kind of rhetoric 
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. We should be focusing on building bridges, not tearing them down 
. It's time for a new approach in Michigan – one that values equality, compassion, and respect for all citizens 
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This dude Mike Rogers is basically trolling us all with his "Faith Coalition Leadership Team" 
. Who thought it was a good idea to surround yourself with radical right-wingers who are openly anti-LGBTQ+? 
It's like he's trying to win the award for most divisive politician of the year 
. And what's up with the election conspiracy theories? Like, dude, there's no system in place to prevent voter fraud, but instead of addressing that, you're going around screaming about it 
. Rogers' team is a joke, and I'm not sure which is more cringeworthy, his attempts to downplay their views or his actual views 
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These aren't just fringe views - these are the kind of hate speech that can really divide a country 
I don't think so 
theyre talking demonic satanic wicked and stuff like that which is seriously messed up.
. The more I read about his campaign the more I'm like what are they even trying to achieve here? Pitting neighbors against each other just for some misguided agenda? No thanks 
.
?
. the democrat party's trying to spin this as some kinda attack but really, they're just mad that someone else is getting attention for being true to themselves 
and what's even more disturbing is how these individuals have found a way to legitimize their hate speech by claiming it's all about "family values" or "traditional Christianity"... but let's be real, when did faith become a code word for "I don't want anything to do with progress"? 
. And her claims about election fraud? Come on, not buying it 
. It's like, Mike Rogers needs to take responsibility for his team's actions, you know? 
. The people he's surrounding himself with are super problematic - they're all anti-LGBTQ+ and peddle conspiracy theories about election fraud. It's like, hello? We should be working together as a country, not tearing each other apart because of our differences.
. If he really wanted to build bridges and bring people together, he'd surround himself with people who share those values.
. We deserve better than someone who's going to fuel division and hate in our communities. We need leaders who'll work for everyone, not just their own special interest group 
and yeah its super shady that he's tryin to distance himself from them now. cant believe ppl still think he's all about unity and love when in reality hes just surroundin himself with toxic people who r spreadin hate