Politico Influence: “Mike Rogers, the Republican running for Senate in Michigan, several years ago received more than a half million dollars from two dark money groups.”
LANSING — A bombshell new report from Politico Influence details how Mike Rogers “received more than a half million dollars from two dark money groups that were in favor of a deregulatory policy on 5G that he advocated in press hits and op-eds.”
Rogers “declined to tell the Washington Post back in 2020 who was funding the effort” while also defending a “primary backer of the group[‘s]” “financial status when asked how its bankruptcy affected the terms of any spectrum sale.”
This is the latest in a series of reports of Rogers selling out to big corporations to benefit himself.
“Mike Rogers will say and do anything to advance his own interests and benefit himself. It’s clear that Rogers is only in this race for himself and his wealthy special interest backers,” said Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Sam Chan.
Politico Influence: 500K to Deregulate 5G
- Mike Rogers, the Republican running for Senate in Michigan, several years ago received more than a half million dollars from two dark money groups that were in favor of a deregulatory policy on 5G that he advocated in press hits and op-eds, Daniel reports.
- In 2020, the former representative was announced as the chair of 5G Action Now, a group that was urging the Federal Communications Commission to move faster on approving fifth-generation wireless technology. He warned that China was going to be the leader in 5G unless government agencies removed barriers to 5G implementation. Rogers was paid $225,000 by the coalition in 2020, according to a 990 form from the organization seen by POLITICO.
- 5G Action Now described itself as a “501(c)4 advocacy organization that works to educate members of Congress and the American people” about the issue but did not disclose its donors. Rogers declined to tell the Washington Post back in 2020 who was funding the effort but said he expected the group to release more details soon.
- Rogers wrote several op-eds about 5G policy during his time as chair of the coalition, although one he did for DefenseOne in 2020 didn’t disclose his connection with the group. When Rogers was asked by NextTV if “wireless ISPs, ISPs, satellite companies” backed the group, he said: “Yeah, you can assume people who are interested in clearing the space responsibly” wanted to inform the public about 5G.
- While the group never released its donors, Intelsat, a global satellite provider, was a primary backer of the group, a person directly familiar with the matter told PI. 5G Action Now was pushing for an outcome that Intelsat had a direct financial stake in, allowing a quick sale of its C-band spectrum for 5G. In 2020, Rogers also defended Intelsat’s financial status when asked how its bankruptcy affected the terms of any spectrum sale.
- He was also paid $380,000 by another dark-money group called Keeping America Safe, according to the organization’s 2021 and 2022 990s seen by POLITICO. The 501(c4) group called itself a “coalition of local and state public safety organizations, businesses, and concerned citizens across the nation” that wanted to encourage innovation and investment in wireless networks as well as provide spectrum to wireless providers to make sure that consumers and public safety officials had access to “high-speed, next-generation wireless services.”
- Rogers and his wife also launched a group called Leadership to Ensure the American Dream, which described its top activity as “strategic media placements” and was used by Rogers to message-test his political principles. The group, which didn’t disclose its donors, received more than a million dollars in donations in 2021 and 2022, according to its 990.
- Rogers previously said in 2012 that “we ought to get back to full disclosure” when asked about nonprofits funding advertising in the presidential race. “You have no idea where the money is coming from. None. I think that’s wrong.”
See also: Detroit News: Mike Rogers targets China in Senate campaign, but his own connections draw criticism, Business Insider: 9 years through the revolving door: How the GOP’s top Senate recruit in Michigan got rich after leaving Congress, Heartland Signal: Michigan GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers connected to Saudi companies, including one with nuclear ambitions, Michigan Independent: Bankrolled by pharmaceuticals, Mike Rogers helped block Medicare price negotiation, Michigan Independent: Mike Rogers says he supports UAW strike but fought against union consistently in Congress, Heartland Signal: Michigan Senate candidate spews anti-China rhetoric despite working to expand Chinese companies and personal wealth, The Gander: Mike Rogers voted against reining in special interests. Now he’s running for US Senate, American Journal News: Mike Rogers’ ties to Chinese telecom giants fuel hypocrisy scandal, American Journal News: Michigan Republican Mike Rogers has repeatedly dodged questions about his work at AT&T, American Journal News: Michigan Republican Mike Rogers worked for organization that threatened privacy rights, American Journal News: Republican Mike Rogers used campaign cash to promote defense contractor interests.
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