Mike Rogers

Mike Rogers served in the U.S. Army from 1986 to 2015. He graduated from New Hanover High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1986. His career experience includes working as a military officer and small business owner.[1][2]

Rogers has been affiliated with the following organizations:[2]

Phi Beta Sigma - Community Service Fraternity

Veterans Caucus, Maryland General Assembly

Ft. Meade High School PTSA

Severn Seminoles Pop Warner Football

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Husband, father, Veteran, Sports Coach

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Education-a good education provides the foundation for successEconomy- a thriving local economy creates the opportunity for everyone to succeedCommunity- a vibrant community is the bedrock for success

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Veterans and Military Families

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

AFL-CIO; Maryland State Education Association; CASA ; AFSCME IBEW Local 26

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Mike Rogers, and I've spent a lifetime defending our Democracy and serving Maryland. I served United States Army for 29 years and retired as a Colonel. I’m running for Congress because I believe our vote, our Democracy, and the well-being of working-class Americans and veterans are at stake. After retirement, I served for several years as a regional board member for the Military Officers Association of America, advocating for veterans’ issues across the country. I've served my community as a homeowner’s association officer, a Pop Warner football coach, president of my children’s school PTSA, and a faithful member of my college fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma. Each of these experiences provided me with an opportunity to address a range of issues, from education and public safety to common sense kitchen table issues.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Service to Country:

During my 29 years in the US Army, I served my country in different capacities. I was deployed in combat zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia. As a senior officer, I oversaw a major healthcare administration and medical logistics across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, ensuring Americans had access to quality healthcare while serving our country. My experiences leading and advocating for service members have uniquely prepared me to serve as a Congressman to help address complex issues from Ukraine, to Iran, to the Israel - Hamas conflict.Service to Our Great State of Maryland:

As a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, I serve on the Economic Matters Committee where I help leade on a range of issues from consumer protections to tax relief. I worked during the pandemic to ensure that front-line workers and union members had access to emergency unemployment insurance. I led an effort to provide tax relief to seniors and veterans. In response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster, I worked with my colleagues to support emergency legislation to ensure financial support for an estimated 150,000 workers directly and indirectly impacted by the Baltimore Port closure. I worked for these issues because I understand how important it is for Maryland families.Service to Community

I've worked the concessions as PTSA President at Ft. Meade High School to help support the costs of new band uniforms. I've mentored young kids as a coach with the Severn Seminoles Pop Warner Football Team. As a national board member of the Military Officers Association of America, I've already worked the halls of Congress to advocate for veterans, their spouses, and their children on issues impacting military families across the globe. I've worked with fellow members of Phi Beta Sigma and other community service fraternities and sororities to support pandemic relief in some of the communities hit hardest by the pandemic. I'm deeply involved in our community in a way that no other candidate can claim.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My five point priorities as the next member of Congress:

Increase affordable housing and help families make ends meet;

Protect our democracy and voting rights against attacks by MAGA extremists;

Fight for reproductive rights against Republicans who want to destroy abortion rights and IVF;

Eliminate gun violence and hold violent criminals accountable;

Support the needs of our military families and veterans who make great sacrifices to defend our democracy against all enemies foreign and domestic.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

"Dreams from My Father" by Barack Obama. It's a great study on the importance of the role of fathers in a kid's life. There are lots of lessons about belonging and membership and how important they are for shaping character and accountability.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I took a sworn oath to defend this country and served in uniform for 29 years in the Army. The same principles apply to public office and that's one of the reasons why I'm running for office. I recognized that many have lost faith in our institutions especially government. I believe my background demonstrates how committed I am to country, Maryland, and our community. Trust. Integrity in everything you do matters. Faithfulness to common values that support medical care for all, a woman's right to choose, increasing the supply of affordable housing, keeping faith with our veterans, fighting gun violence, and upholding the right of every American to vote free of interference is consistent with the principles I learned in the military and our democratic values.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Supporting a vision and pursuing an agenda consistent with democratic values: supporting medical care for all, a woman's right to choose, increasing the supply of affordable housing, keeping faith with our veterans, fighting gun violence, and upholding the right of every American to vote free of interference. Legislation, community meetings, and case support to constituency should be consistent with these values.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I believe all of the sadness around Dr. Martin Luther King's and Robert Kennedy's assassinations. I was around four and didn't understand it obviously but did sense that it was a big and important thing.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My family had to rely on the social safety network in my youth. I started off working as an "entrepreneur" to help make ends meet for my family at the age of nine. It is an experience that has shaped me and drives me to this day.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift. If you're an elected official, it's a creed you have to live by.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is a "sample" representation of every community in our country, each with representation, from the common man, to pastors, attorneys, and business leaders. In theory, it represents the potential of what can be in a plural society.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

There are four things. One, building, maintaining, and sustaining faith in our democracy will be the greatest challenge in the age of MAGA extremism, AI, deepfakes, and Trumpism. Truth needs a first responder and I am committed to representing our democratic values as a leader for Maryland. The vote is sacred to me as an African American and it is the spring from which all other rights flow in this country. Our ancestors paid a great price to secure it now we must protect it from MAGA extremism. Two, finding a permanent peace between Israel and Palestine. We've got to ensure too that we neutralize any threat Iran may pose to Israel and Middle East stability. Three, curbing the rising influence of China. Fourth, curbing Russian aggression.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

No. Eight years seem sufficient.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I'm intrigued by term limits and believe it is a conversation worth having to fight entrenched interests and the influence of dark money. Term limits may be key reform to help Americans rebuild their faith in our electoral system.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

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The former and current politicians I admire have a healthy respect for our Democracy, are people of faith, and some have served their country in uniform. “Dutch” Ruppersberger is a currently serving local Congressional representative who has been supporting military members and their family in Maryland delivering results to the state and those serving in uniform. I believe that Republican Senator Mitt Romney has capably articulated what it means for America to maintain its standing in the world as a city of light. Though I differ with him on some policy matters, I believe Romney to be a patriot and a defender of our Democracy. Republican Senator Asa Hutchison has demonstrated a tremendous amount of courage and has given voice to what it means to maintain the rule of law in a Democracy. My good friend Democrat David Trone, a member of the “Problem Solving Caucus,” has given voice and advocacy for the needs of returning citizens. Democrat Tim Kaine has been an advocate for veterans, healthcare, foreign affairs, and education. I also admire Senator Cory Booker’s work that articulates the values of our Democracy through a fairness and opportunity lens. Though I may not always agree with her, I do believe that Senator Elizabeth Warren has given great voice about the need to serve working class Americans across the spectrum.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

As a Maryland State Delegate serving on the Economic Matters Committee, there were so many gut wrenching stories from front-line workers and union members not able to access emergency unemployment insurance during the pandemic. Currently, the pleas we get for affordable housing and to help homeless veterans are just as heart breaking. Success stories come from many of the young students we helped with scholarship support to attend college or a vocational school - many of them are first generation students.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

I am honored to have received the endorsement of "With Honor" which supports candidates like me who are committed to bi-partisan solutions. "With Honor" supports candidates committed to fixing our broken politics by working in a bi-partisan way to resolve issues. Once elected, I will join the "Problem Solvers" Caucus to help move the business of our country forward. Compromise fundamentally is about respect and shared values from my perspective.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

My work will be consistent with the Constitution.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Consistent with the Constitution to be used for high crimes and misdemeanors.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

"With Honor" is a national bipartisan organization that counts former Defense Secretary Robert Gates and former Senator Tom Daschle as its board members. I received their endorsement. The organization is committed to fixing America's broken politics.

I also received an endorsement from "Democrats Serve."

What committees interest you?

Armed Services;

Financial Services;

Homeland Security;

Oversight and Government

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

We should always be more predisposed to providing the public with any information not classified or secret due to national security interests.

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased April 9, 2024

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