US Senate Candidate Builds Team of Conservative Extremists, Election Deniers
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. The "Faith Coalition Leadership Team" is part of Rogers's 2026 Senate bid and includes individuals with well-documented histories of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and attempts to undermine past election results.
Rogers, a former FBI agent and Republican congressman, has been accused of using his campaign as a vehicle for spreading conspiracy theories. The team includes hard-right conservatives who have called LGBTQ+ rights "demonic, satanic, and wicked." Some members have also promoted conversion therapy on minors and spoken out against transgender athletes participating in school sports.
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. In 2021, she wrote on Facebook that federal LGBTQ+ protections were "godless" and "demonic." Another member, Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, has preached that LGBTQ+ civil rights undermine Christian teachings.
The team also includes Pastor Brian Ford, who leads a church that labels homosexuality as a "sexual perversion." State Rep. Luke Meerman, R-Coopersville, opposed legislation to ban conversion therapy and extend civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ residents. John Damoose, a Republican state senator from Harbor Springs, has also opposed these bills.
Rogers's campaign downplayed the extreme positions of the coalition members, suggesting he couldn't possibly know the views of all of them. However, the Michigan Democratic Party denounced Rogers for surrounding himself with divisive figures at a time when residents are already divided.
The assembly of extremist pastors and activists raises concerns about Rogers's commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ rights and promoting election integrity. Critics argue that his campaign is built on hate and intolerance, and that he is using his platform to spread misinformation and conspiracy theories.
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. The "Faith Coalition Leadership Team" is part of Rogers's 2026 Senate bid and includes individuals with well-documented histories of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and attempts to undermine past election results.
Rogers, a former FBI agent and Republican congressman, has been accused of using his campaign as a vehicle for spreading conspiracy theories. The team includes hard-right conservatives who have called LGBTQ+ rights "demonic, satanic, and wicked." Some members have also promoted conversion therapy on minors and spoken out against transgender athletes participating in school sports.
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. In 2021, she wrote on Facebook that federal LGBTQ+ protections were "godless" and "demonic." Another member, Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, has preached that LGBTQ+ civil rights undermine Christian teachings.
The team also includes Pastor Brian Ford, who leads a church that labels homosexuality as a "sexual perversion." State Rep. Luke Meerman, R-Coopersville, opposed legislation to ban conversion therapy and extend civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ residents. John Damoose, a Republican state senator from Harbor Springs, has also opposed these bills.
Rogers's campaign downplayed the extreme positions of the coalition members, suggesting he couldn't possibly know the views of all of them. However, the Michigan Democratic Party denounced Rogers for surrounding himself with divisive figures at a time when residents are already divided.
The assembly of extremist pastors and activists raises concerns about Rogers's commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ rights and promoting election integrity. Critics argue that his campaign is built on hate and intolerance, and that he is using his platform to spread misinformation and conspiracy theories.
. Mike Rogers's team of conservative extremists is like a bunch of puzzle pieces that don't fit together 
. They're promoting false claims about election fraud and spreading hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community 
. It's not okay for someone running for office to surround themselves with people who have such extreme views 
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. It's like having a bunch of wild cards playing poker, never knowing what kind of crazy card they'll play next 
. And let's not forget that some members of this "Faith Coalition Leadership Team" have been vocal about conversion therapy and banning trans athletes from school sports 
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. As someone who values transparency and honesty, I think this team is a major red flag 
.
. This news about Mike Rogers's team of conservative extremists is pretty concerning. It seems like they're all pushing some pretty radical views on LGBTQ+ rights, and that's not exactly what we need in politics right now 
. The fact that people with a history of spreading false claims about election fraud are involved in his campaign just adds to the worry 
. Can't help but think that if he gets elected, it could be really tough for marginalized communities to get the support they deserve 
. Still, you can't give up hope right? Maybe there's still a way to bring people together and make a difference 
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. It feels like he's trying to distance himself from the hate, but at the end of the day, his team's words and actions speak louder than his PR spin 
. This whole thing just feels like a huge distraction from the real issues facing our country 
. The team's extreme views on LGBTQ+ issues and their promotion of conspiracy theories raise questions about Rogers's commitment to protecting the rights of marginalized communities 
. Ultimately, this decision may have far-reaching consequences for election integrity and the values that the American people hold dear 
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It's not that hard!
. I don't think he's got the right team around him if he's gonna surround himself with people who are so outspoken about their hatred towards the LGBTQ+ community 
this is exactly what we need less of in politics - more hate and intolerance 
. I mean, come on, pastors spreading "demonic" vibes about the LGBTQ+ community? And promoting conversion therapy? 
. What's even more worrying is that these folks are running for public office and are supposed to be representing the American people 
. If this is what one side of the aisle has to offer, it's no wonder young folks are feeling lost and disenfranchised 
i mean, come on, guys, if you're gonna run for office, at least try to keep the hate speech to a minimum, right? 
but honestly, it's hard to take him seriously when you've got people like Linda Lee Tarver and Pastor Lorenzo Sewell on his team. 
those guys are just toxic.
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!
it's so scary how some people think LGBTQ+ rights are "demonic" or that they're trying to undermine Christian teachings 