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Michigan Democratic Party: Report - Mike Rogers "Surrounded Himself With People Tied to The Living Word Church Sex Abuse Scandal," Now He Won't Answer Questions
LANSING, Michigan, Oct. 3 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
NEW REPORT: Mike Rogers "Surrounded Himself With People Tied to The Living Word Church Sex Abuse Scandal," Now He Won't Answer Questions
LANSING -- Mike Rogers is continuing to face backlash after he was "not willing to publicly address" concerns from Midland community members about how Rogers "has surrounded himself with people tied to the Living Word Church sex abuse scandal."
The New Republic reports Rogers "dodged" reporter questions on Wednesday about "why two pastors from
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LANSING, Michigan, Oct. 3 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
NEW REPORT: Mike Rogers "Surrounded Himself With People Tied to The Living Word Church Sex Abuse Scandal," Now He Won't Answer Questions
LANSING -- Mike Rogers is continuing to face backlash after he was "not willing to publicly address" concerns from Midland community members about how Rogers "has surrounded himself with people tied to the Living Word Church sex abuse scandal."
The New Republic reports Rogers "dodged" reporter questions on Wednesday about "why two pastors fromthe Living Word Church were on Rogers' Faith Leadership Coalition, months after three elders at the church's Midland chapter were sent to prison for sexually abusing children." One of the leaders appointed by Rogers "defended former pastor James Randolph at trial, before he was sentenced to at least 25 years for first degree criminal sexual conduct," and another "admitted he initially did not believe the sex abuse victims."
Rogers has "received criticism for not speaking publicly" about his campaign leaders' ties to the church roiled by a child sex abuse scandal and has "refused to acknowledge" concerns from former members of the Midland church who say Rogers "elevated leaders connected to the sexual abuse scandal."
Read more:
[View image in the link at bottom.]
The New Republic: The Church Sex Abuse Scandal Mike Rogers Won't Talk About
* Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers has surrounded himself with people tied to the Living Word Church sex abuse scandal, but he's not willing to publicly address the matter.
* The former FBI agent dodged one such question while collecting a local endorsement in Saginaw on Wednesday, where a reporter asked why two pastors from the Living Word Church were on Rogers's Faith Leadership Coalition, months after three elders at the church's Midland chapter were sent to prison for sexually abusing children.
* The dubious personnel inclusions involved Brian Ford of Living Word Church in Ludington as well as Tim Cross, the founding pastor of Living Word Church in Muskegon. Ford defended former pastor James Randolph at trial, before he was sentenced to at least 25 years for first degree criminal sexual conduct.
* [Rogers] did, however, briefly address his prior connection to Cross, who resigned from Rogers's team earlier this year after he admitted he initially did not believe the sex abuse victims.
* "Our volunteers, the people that volunteer for us, one of those folks have stepped away from his volunteer work, someone is still in the faith volunteer work, we think the most important part here is about who is stepping up and who is surrogates," Rogers told reporters.
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/new-report-mike-rogers-surrounded-himself-with-people-tied-to-the-living-word-church-sex-abuse-scandal-now-he-wont-answer-questions/
Mich. Democratic Party: Republican Budget Provisions Take Effect, Gutting SNAP and Leaving Michiganders Hungry
LANSING, Michigan, Oct. 3 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
Republican Budget Provisions Take Effect, Gutting SNAP and Leaving Michiganders Hungry
LANSING -- Yesterday, several provisions from Republicans' so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) went into effect, further gutting food assistance for working families while costs skyrocket due to Trump's Iran war.
OBBBA's changes have already cut SNAP benefits and health insurance for millions of Americans, and yesterday, the burden on states to make up the gap became even heavier.
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, Oct. 3 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
Republican Budget Provisions Take Effect, Gutting SNAP and Leaving Michiganders Hungry
LANSING -- Yesterday, several provisions from Republicans' so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) went into effect, further gutting food assistance for working families while costs skyrocket due to Trump's Iran war.
OBBBA's changes have already cut SNAP benefits and health insurance for millions of Americans, and yesterday, the burden on states to make up the gap became even heavier.The GOP's law created the largest transfer of wealth to the rich in a single piece of legislation in history, and in Michigan, it is projected to leave hundreds of thousands of Michiganders without healthcare and hospitals facing closure.
"Tom Barrett, John James, Bill Huzienga, and every Michigan Republican lined up in support of a law that's leaving Michiganders hungry and without healthcare. Why? To give tax handouts to billionaires," said Curtis Hertel, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. "Republicans have put billionaires first and left the rest of us to struggle with higher costs. This November, let's show them how it feels to be left behind."
BACKGROUND:
* Michigan Republicans in Congress like Tom Barrett and Bill Huizenga all voted to gut Medicaid and rip away health care. Barrett was even caught laughing on the House floor after his deciding vote to benefit his wealthy donors while hurting Michiganders. Furthermore, Huizenga voted repeatedly to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and Barrett opposes the ACA, calling health care tax credits "not real tax credits." And both Mike Bouchard Jr. and Robert Lulgjuraj indicated they'd be a reliable vote for the cuts.
* John James voted for Trump's price-hiking budget law that cut Medicaid and is forcing rural hospitals to close, and when pressed last fall, James even kept the door open to ending Medicaid expansion entirely in Michigan.
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/republican-budget-provisions-take-effect-gutting-snap-and-leaving-michiganders-hungry/
ICYMI: DNC Takes Trump Administration to Court for Trying to Disenfranchise U.S. Citizens Abroad
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
ICYMI: DNC Takes Trump Administration to Court for Trying to Disenfranchise U.S. Citizens Abroad
Yesterday, the DNC sued the Trump administration over the Department of Defense (DOD)'s attempt to disenfranchise eligible American citizens who were born and remain abroad. DOD proclaimed a false "emergency" to justify changes to the Federal Post Card Application, which eligible U.S. citizens use to register and request mail ballots. The DNC will continue to hold the Trump administration
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
ICYMI: DNC Takes Trump Administration to Court for Trying to Disenfranchise U.S. Citizens Abroad
Yesterday, the DNC sued the Trump administration over the Department of Defense (DOD)'s attempt to disenfranchise eligible American citizens who were born and remain abroad. DOD proclaimed a false "emergency" to justify changes to the Federal Post Card Application, which eligible U.S. citizens use to register and request mail ballots. The DNC will continue to hold the Trump administrationaccountable for its efforts to rip away Americans' fundamental right to vote.
Take a look at some of the coverage below:
The Guardian: DNC sues Trump administration over last-minute changes to overseas voting form
[Sam Levine, 10/1/26]
"The Trump administration broke the law when it pushed through a last-minute change to the form overseas citizens use to register and request absentee ballots, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) said in a lawsuit filed on Thursday.
"Until recently, the form, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), gave overseas voters four options to choose from when describing their geographic location. Voters could say they needed an overseas ballot because they were on active military service, living outside the US with an intent to return, or living outside the US and uncertain about their return. [...]
"'Trump and Republicans are so desperate to hang on to power that they are trying to eliminate the way some American citizens abroad register to vote and request mail ballots. They know that Americans, both at home and abroad, are going to reject their destructive agenda, and they are scrambling to disenfranchise as much of the electorate as possible by any means necessary,' said Ken Martin, the chair of the DNC."
New York Times: The D.N.C. sues the Defense Department over changes to a form for overseas voters.
[Tim Balk, 10/1/26]
"Lawyers for the D.N.C. wrote that the changes could make it 'impossible' for some citizens to use a Federal Post Card Application to register.
"The complaint described the alterations as 'an attempt to fence out these voters from the electorate and advance the interests of the Republican Party.' It said the changes were approved by the White House Office of Management and Budget on an emergency basis to skirt a required public notice."
Washington Post: Democrats sue over Pentagon's changes to voter forms for Americans overseas
[Maegan Vazquez, 10/1/26]
"Democrats filed a lawsuit Thursday over the Trump administration's recent use of an emergency measure to make changes to the federal voter-registration form used by U.S. service members abroad and citizens residing outside the country, arguing that it's an attempt to disenfranchise eligible American voters. [...]
"The lawsuit follows concerns by advocates for American citizens overseas, who said the changes will spark confusion among eligible voters abroad and officials within U.S. election offices. The Pentagon has said the changes are meant to align the form with federal law. More than 2 million Americans living abroad are eligible to cast their ballots in U.S. elections."
Associated Press: Trump administration's quiet move makes it harder for some US citizens abroad to vote, lawsuit says
[Nicholas Riccardi, 10/1/26]
"The Democratic National Committee on Thursday filed a lawsuit alleging that President Donald Trump's administration secretly changed a postcard used by U.S. citizens overseas in a way that makes it harder to register to vote.
"The lawsuit contends that the Department of Defense made the change by declaring an emergency, which allowed it to eliminate a specific box on the form. That box is typically checked by potential voters who acknowledge they are U.S. citizens but who have never lived in the United States."
NPR: Trump officials changed forms for overseas voters amid a GOP push to restrict voting
[Hansi Lo Wang, 10/1/26]
"On Thursday, the Democratic National Committee filed a federal lawsuit against the Pentagon in an attempt to block the revised forms. The DNC argues the Trump administration's changes were 'arbitrary and capricious' and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act."
Bloomberg Law: DNC Challenges Defense Department Overseas Voter Rule Change
[Alex Ebert, 10/1/26]
"Rapid adoption of changes to voter rules for overseas US citizens by the Defense Department and the Office of Management and Budget violate the Administrative Procedure Act, the Democratic National Committee alleges in a complaint filed Thursday.
"The lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia alleges that required notice-and-comment procedures were skipped when the Defense Department in August changed the application and write-in absentee ballot that military and overseas US citizens use to vote.
"The changes remove a voter classification for US citizens born abroad who have never resided in the United States. Dozens of states, through their state election laws, permit these citizens to vote in federal and local elections in the states in which those abroad citizens are registered."
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/icymi-dnc-takes-trump-administration-to-court-for-trying-to-disenfranchise-u-s-citizens-abroad/
Democratic Governors Association: Ohioans for Lower Costs Ad Blasts Ramaswamy for How He Could Ruin Ohioans' Retirement
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The Democratic Governors Association posted the following news:
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Ohioans for Lower Costs Ad Blasts Ramaswamy for How He Could Ruin Ohioans' Retirement
Oct 02, 2026
Today, Ohioans for Lower Costs, a group backed by the Democratic Governors Association, released an ad in Ohio's governor race, "Finally Retired," featuring Dana, a newly retired Ohioan, warning that the policies billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy supports could destroy her hard-earned retirement and that of Ohio seniors.
In an interview uncovered last year, Ramaswamy confirmed he believes Medicare and Medicaid
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The Democratic Governors Association posted the following news:
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Ohioans for Lower Costs Ad Blasts Ramaswamy for How He Could Ruin Ohioans' Retirement
Oct 02, 2026
Today, Ohioans for Lower Costs, a group backed by the Democratic Governors Association, released an ad in Ohio's governor race, "Finally Retired," featuring Dana, a newly retired Ohioan, warning that the policies billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy supports could destroy her hard-earned retirement and that of Ohio seniors.
In an interview uncovered last year, Ramaswamy confirmed he believes Medicare and Medicaidwere "mistakes."
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=NPHNHxrBkD-y7thL&v=gqSowSIDrgQ&feature=youtu.be
Transcript:
I worked hard my entire life and saved as much as possible. Now I'm finally retired, and I can take a deep breath.
But Vivek Ramaswamy could ruin all of that.
He proposed ending Social Security as we know it and said Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes.
My retirement could be ruined by a billionaire who doesn't care about us.
And if that's how he would treat hardworking seniors, we should never trust him as governor.
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Original text here: https://democraticgovernors.org/updates/new-ohioans-for-lower-costs-ad-blasts-ramaswamy-for-how-he-could-ruin-ohioans-retirement/
DNC: With 32 Days Until the Midterms, Trump Travels to Alabama Amid Disastrous Approval Ratings and Rising Costs
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
With 32 Days Until the Midterms, Trump Travels to Alabama Amid Disastrous Approval Ratings and Rising Costs
Today, Donald Trump will travel to Alabama to promote his failed agenda that has made life unaffordable for working families. Trump's reckless tariffs and deadly and costly war with Iran have hiked prices on everything, from gas to groceries. Now -- as his approval ratings sink to record lows and even his strongest supporters turn their backs on him -- Trump is desperately
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
With 32 Days Until the Midterms, Trump Travels to Alabama Amid Disastrous Approval Ratings and Rising Costs
Today, Donald Trump will travel to Alabama to promote his failed agenda that has made life unaffordable for working families. Trump's reckless tariffs and deadly and costly war with Iran have hiked prices on everything, from gas to groceries. Now -- as his approval ratings sink to record lows and even his strongest supporters turn their backs on him -- Trump is desperatelytraveling to ruby-red states to rally his base as the midterm elections approach and Republicans face defeat.
In response, DNC Deputy Communications Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement:
"Donald Trump and JD Vance have made life unaffordable for Alabama families after waging a deadly and costly war with Iran, and now Trump is desperately trying to rally his shrinking base. Trump's reckless agenda has forced everyday Americans to dip into savings just to afford gas and groceries. Make no mistake: Americans will remember who turned their backs on them when they head to the polls this November."
REMINDER: Families in Alabama have spent an additional $3,700 for everyday essentials under Trump, including $310 for groceries and $685 on housing. The average price for a gallon of gas in Alabama is $4.01, and the average price for a gallon of diesel is $6.02. The average Alabama family has shelled out an additional $1,004 on gas alone since Trump started his war with Iran. This is on top of higher healthcare costs in a state where the State Employees' Insurance Board just approved the first premium increase in 11 years.
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/with-32-days-until-the-midterms-trump-travels-to-alabama-amid-disastrous-approval-ratings-and-rising-costs/
DNC: New - With 32 Days Until the Midterms, Wages Fail to Keep Up With Inflation in Trump's Economy
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
NEW: With 32 Days Until the Midterms, Wages Fail To Keep Up With Inflation in Trump's Economy
Trump's economy added only 29,000 jobs in September, far below expectations
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Donald Trump and JD Vance's job market continues to erode, making it nearly impossible for Americans to find and keep good-paying jobs. The September jobs report revealed that Trump's job market added a meager 29,000 jobs last month -- well below economists' expectations -- while employment in July and August
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
NEW: With 32 Days Until the Midterms, Wages Fail To Keep Up With Inflation in Trump's Economy
Trump's economy added only 29,000 jobs in September, far below expectations
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Donald Trump and JD Vance's job market continues to erode, making it nearly impossible for Americans to find and keep good-paying jobs. The September jobs report revealed that Trump's job market added a meager 29,000 jobs last month -- well below economists' expectations -- while employment in July and Augustcombined was revised down by 60,000 and the unemployment rate increased to 4.2%. Inflation continued to swallow workers' wages as wage growth hit a five-year low.
In response, DNC Deputy Communications Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement:
"Donald Trump and JD Vance hollowed out the job market, leaving Americans struggling to find good-paying jobs -- while sky-high prices on gas and groceries have swallowed up Americans' wages. Trump promised to 'defeat inflation,' but instead he imposed reckless tariffs and started a war with Iran that have made everyday life unaffordable for working families. Now, in the final stretch leading up to the midterms, Trump's economy continues to crush everyday Americans -- and voters are fed up."
Additional data this week showed that the labor market is stagnant, as Americans struggle to find good-paying jobs. The number of people who say that it's hard to get a job right now has hit its highest point since early 2021. U.S. job openings fell by 256,000 in August -- including big drops in construction and manufacturing jobs -- the lowest job-openings rate in five months.
Meanwhile, under Trump and Vance, the average American family has had to pay more than $4,200 extra for everyday essentials, including $310 more for groceries and $833 more for housing. To make matters worse, consumer confidence in September fell to the lowest level since 2014, and consumers' expectations for the future are the worst since 2013. For only the second time on record, more people say their family's current financial situation is bad than good.
A new poll this week found only 17% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the cost of living, while 65% blame Trump's policies for high prices. Approximately half of adults now say they are "extremely" or "very concerned" about being able to fill up their tanks or afford food, up more than 10 points since July.
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/new-with-32-days-until-the-midterms-wages-fail-to-keep-up-with-inflation-in-trumps-economy/
DFL Party Statement on MPR's Attorney General Debate
ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Oct. 3 -- Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party issued the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
DFL Party Statement on MPR's Attorney General Debate
ST. PAUL -- Ron Schutz spent today's Attorney General debate misrepresenting Attorney General Ellison's strong record prosecuting fraudsters, while refusing to answer the simple question: when will he stand up to Donald Trump and protect Minnesotans?
The contrast is clear: Keith Ellison has secured more than 350 Medicaid fraud convictions, helped pass legislation adding 18 investigators and prosecutors to the
... Show Full Article
ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Oct. 3 -- Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party issued the following news release:
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October 2, 2026
DFL Party Statement on MPR's Attorney General Debate
ST. PAUL -- Ron Schutz spent today's Attorney General debate misrepresenting Attorney General Ellison's strong record prosecuting fraudsters, while refusing to answer the simple question: when will he stand up to Donald Trump and protect Minnesotans?
The contrast is clear: Keith Ellison has secured more than 350 Medicaid fraud convictions, helped pass legislation adding 18 investigators and prosecutors to theMedicaid Fraud Control unit, and taken corporations and Donald Trump's federal government to court.
Ron Schutz has opposed Keith Ellison's bipartisan fraud-fighting legislation repeatedly, took donations from an accused child molester, and continues to dodge whether he would challenge Donald Trump.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Chair Richard Carlbom released the following statement in response:
"Ron Schutz made a choice when he decided to run for office: to put himself and Donald Trump first. He hasn't divested from 174 conflicts of interest and can't commit to standing up to the corrupt President.
"Keith Ellison will protect Minnesotans from Donald Trump and Republicans' harmful policies. He's done that when it comes to protecting $35 insulin, securing lower repair costs for farmers, and pushing back against tariffs costing Minnesotans money. Keith will continue fighting to protect Minnesotans -- because the people of Minnesota are his client."
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Original text here: https://dfl.org/dfl-party-statement-on-mprs-attorney-general-debate/
