Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* In Michigan’s closely watched U.S. Senate race, former Rep. Mike Rogers has been on the defensive for a long while, with the Republican accused of being a lackey for Donald Trump. That made it that much more notable when the GOP nominee distanced himself from the president and his agenda in an unexpected campaign ad that debuted this week.

In the new commercial, Rogers tells voters, “Here in Michigan, we know that Canada is not our enemy,” adding, “We need to end this tariff war — now.”

The ad, filmed at a bar, also showed the Republican drinking a Canadian beer — with the Labatt label turned carefully so it would appear on camera — instead of a beer made in Michigan.

The ad was released one day before Rogers faces Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed in their first debate.

* In North Carolina’s closely watched U.S. Senate race, former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley decided to pause his campaign advertising this week as he and his team reassess their overall strategy. With 26 days remaining until Election Day, this isn’t a great sign.

* In Ohio’s closely watched statewide races, the latest CNN poll found former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown leading Republican Sen. Jon Husted in their U.S. Senate race, 49% to 43%. The same poll showed Democrat Amy Acton leading Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, 50% to 42%, in the state’s gubernatorial race.

* In Iowa’s closely watched statewide races, the latest CNN poll found Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson narrowly leading Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek in their U.S. Senate race, 45% to 43%. As for the state’s gubernatorial race, the same survey showed Democratic state Auditor Rob Sand leading Republican businessman Zach Lahn, 51% to 42%.

* It’s not exactly a secret that Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has been eyed as a possible Democratic presidential candidate in 2028, and in a gubernatorial debate this week, he was pressed on whether he would commit to serving four years if re-elected. Moore hedged, saying only, “I’m committed to the people of Maryland, and that’s why I’m running for re-election.”

On a related note, the latest poll from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, found Moore with a huge lead over Republican Dan Cox, 51% to 24%.

* Speaking of Democratic governors with presidential ambitions and huge leads in the polls, the latest Quinnipiac University poll found Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro far ahead of Republican Stacy Garrity in their gubernatorial race, 59% to 34%.

The same poll found Democratic Sen. John Fetterman’s favorable opinion among Democratic voters in his home state down to a woeful 13%.

The post Thursday’s Campaign Round-Up, 10.8.26: Mike Rogers distances himself from Trump’s agenda appeared first on MS NOW.

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