(CBS DETROIT) – The Livingston County home of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers was the target of a swatting call on Friday, his campaign said.
The incident comes a day after Democratic U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who is running against Rogers in November, target of a swatting call thursday nightA spokesperson for Slotkin was not at home at the time of the incident.
“Today, family members of Mike Rogers were the targets of a swatting attempt at their home in Livingston County,” said Chris Gustafson, a spokesman for Rogers. “Michigan State Police responded to the false threat and fortunately no one inside the home was injured. Mike and his family are beyond grateful for the professionalism and quick response of law enforcement.”
Gustafson said Rogers, a former congressman who represented Michigan’s 8th District from 2001 to 2015, was the target of a swatting incident in 2013.
Michigan State Police confirmed that they responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a home in Genoa Township. A female homeowner told officers it was a false alarm, but MSP could not officially confirm that the home was connected to Rogers.
“This is the second time Mike has been targeted, the first being in 2013 as a member of Congress, and reports that Rep. Slotkin was also targeted yesterday are a clear example of the deeply disturbing trend of political violence that has quickly become the norm,” he said. “This type of violence cannot be tolerated and we hope that those responsible are swiftly prosecuted and held accountable.”
“Swatting” is when an individual makes a false emergency call to provoke a heavy law enforcement response. Swatting has becoming increasingly worrying after multiple government officials were targeted in the weeks following Christmas 2023.
Rogers won his primaries Tuesday against former Reps. Justin Amash and Sherry O’Donnell, while Slotkin defeated actor Hill Harper to earn the Democratic nomination.
