Slotkin tries to reassure supporters as her Senate race in Michigan remains too early to call

DETROIT (AP) — The race for Michigan's open Senate seat between Democratic U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and Republican former congressman Mike Rogers remained too early to call early Wednesday after results in other states showed Democrats lost their slim majority in the upper chamber.

Slotkin had a clear head start as her campaign began, but as Republicans became more confident about Donald Trump's presidential prospects in Michigan, the contest drew more attention from funders who believed Rogers had a good chance of becoming the first Republican to win a U.S. Senate seat in the state in 30 years.

Slotkin expressed gratitude to her supporters when she took the stage in Detroit early Wednesday. With a third of Michigan's vote still to be counted, she emphasized that it remained a “tight race.”

“We have had difficult periods in our history before,” Slotkin told the watch party in downtown Detroit. “Over the next few days, the results will come into focus and the task before us will be to come together."

Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and third-term representative, launched her Senate campaign shortly after Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow announced her retirement in early 2023. With a largely uncontested primary, Slotkin built a significant fundraising advantage, much of which she has poured into ads during the race's final month. She’s also gained high-profile support from figures like former President Barack Obama and Stabenow, who have helped her on the campaign trail in the final month.

On the Republican side, Rogers faced multiple challengers for the party’s nomination, including former Reps. Justin Amash and Peter Meijer, the latter of whom withdrew before the Aug. 6 primary. Rogers served in the U.S. House from 2001 to 2015 and chaired the House Intelligence Committee.

Rogers would become the first Republican since Spence Abraham in 1994 to win a U.S. Senate race in Michigan.

The presidential race at the top of the ticket was expected to significantly influence the outcome. Rogers repeatedly accused Slotkin of voting “100% with the Biden-Harris agenda” and aligned himself closely with Republican nominee Donald Trump, who endorsed him.

Rogers energized a west Michigan crowd late Monday night, just before Trump’s final campaign rally in Grand Rapids, assuring voters, “Come tomorrow, we will have your backs.” Later, Trump praised Rogers on stage, calling him “amazing” and saying he was “doing great.”

Slotkin and other Michigan Democrats focused much of their campaigns on reproductive rights, arguing that Republican opponents would back a national abortion ban, although Rogers said he wouldn't. How effectively the issue motivated voting in a state where reproductive rights were enshrined in the constitution by Michigan voters in 2022 remained to be seen on Election Day.

About 4 in 10 Michigan voters said the economy and jobs is the top issue facing the country, according to AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of more than 110,000 voters nationally, including about 3,700 voters in Michigan. About 2 in 10 Michigan voters said immigration is the most pressing issue, and roughly 1 in 10 named abortion.

Slotkin used her funding advantage to establish her narrative early, aiming to connect both with her base and disillusioned Republicans.

“For the Republicans who feel like their party has left them over the last few years, you will always have an open door in my office,” Slotkin said during their only debate.

Metro Detroit could be an area of vulnerability for Slotkin, with frustration over the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war affecting down-ballot Democrats. Slotkin, who is Jewish, has supported Israel while criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Many leaders of the state's large Muslim community voiced frustration that she and other Democrats haven't advocated more forcefully for Palestinians.

Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Rep. Elissa Slotkin speaks during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Rep. Elissa Slotkin speaks during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Rep. Elissa Slotkin speaks during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers speaks during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers, left, and his wife, Kristi Clemens Rogers, right, look up at screens during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers speaks during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers greets supporters during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers greets supporters during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers speaks during an election night watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at Suburban Showplace Collection in Novi, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Rep. Elissa Slotkin speaks during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

FILE - This combination of images shows from left, Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers in University Center, Mich., on Oct. 3, 2024, and opponent U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., in Detroit, on Sept. 2, 2024. (AP Photo Alex Brandon, left; and AP Photo Paul Sancya, File)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The race to lead Arkansas' Supreme Court between two justices who split on whether voters should have the chance to scale back the state's abortion ban remained too early to call hours after polls closed Tuesday.

The runoff between Justices Rhonda Wood and Karen Baker was one of the most closely watched in Tuesday's election, though the result won't change the conservative tilt of the court. Wood and Baker are running to replace Chief Justice Dan Kemp.

In Tuesday's election, all four of Arkansas’ Republican congressmen fended off challenges from Democrats who were trying to break the GOP’s hold on the state’s federal seats.

Voters also approved a constitutional amendment that revokes the license issued by a state panel for a casino.

No matter if Wood or Baker wins, history will be made: For the first time, Arkansas will elect a woman to chief justice of its Supreme Court.

The two justices were on opposites sides of the debate over whether to keep a measure on the ballot that would have scaled back an Arkansas law banning nearly all abortions.

Wood wrote the court's 4-3 majority opinion that upheld the state's decision to reject petitions submitted in favor of the proposal. The court ruled sponsors of the measure did not comply with paperwork requirements for paid signature gatherers.

In a blistering dissent, Baker asked: “Why are the respondent and the majority determined to keep this particular vote from the people?”

Though the seats are nonpartisan, Wood is running with the endorsement of the Republican Party of Arkansas' state committee, Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and GOP Sen. Tom Cotton. Conservatives are already ensured a 5-2 majority on the court, with Sanders slated to fill two vacancies on the seven-member court after the election.

Arkansas has had one woman serve as chief justice, but Betty Dickey was appointed to the post by former Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2003, not elected.

All four of Arkansas’ Republican congressmen fended off challenges from Democrats who were trying to break the GOP’s hold on the state’s federal seats.

Rep. Rick Crawford won reelection to the U.S. House seat representing Arkansas’ 1st District, which covers the eastern part of the state including Jonesboro and West Memphis. He defeated Democrat Rodney Govens, who has worked in the telecommunications industry. Libertarian nominee Steve Parsons was also running. Crawford, first elected in 2010, is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and has said he’ll seek the top Republican spot on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

“That really tees up, hopefully, in the next Congress to serve as a committee chairman, and we're looking forward to that opportunity,” Crawford told The Associated Press Tuesday night. “That will really help serve the citizens of Arkansas even more.”

Rep. French Hill beat retired Army colonel Democrat Marcus Jones to win reelection in the race for the 2nd District, which includes Little Rock and surrounding areas. Hill was first elected to the seat in 2014 and is vice chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

“I am deeply humbled to once again have the privilege of representing the people of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District," Hill said in a statement. “I wake up every day energized to serve my home state and fellow Arkansans, and I stand ready to fight for our beloved nation over the next two years.”

In northwest Arkansas’ 3rd District Rep. Steve Womack defeated Democrat Caitlin Draper, a clinical social worker. Womack was first elected in 2010 to the district, which includes Fayetteville and Fort Smith. Libertarian Bobby Wilson was also running. Womack is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

“Conservative principles such as less government, lower taxes, pro-growth and pro-family policies, the rule of law, and a strong national defense are what I believe creates a better America for all," Womack said in a statement. “Tonight, we see that Third District Arkansans agree with me.”

In the 4th District, which covers south Arkansas, Rep. Bruce Westerman triumphed over Democrat Risie Howard, an attorney from Pine Bluff. Westerman was first elected to the U.S. House in 2014 and chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources.

“It is an honor of a lifetime to continue representing the 4th district of Arkansas," Westerman said in a statement. “I still stand by the statement that Arkansas has what America needs, and I look forward to getting back to work in DC.”

Arkansas voters approved a measure blocking the last of four casinos planned in the state in what had become an expensive battle between the Cherokee and Choctaw nations.

The proposed constitutional amendment revokes a license the state issued to Cherokee Nation Entertainment to build a casino in Pope County. Choctaw Nation spent more than $17 million on the campaign for the proposal. Under the measure, any future casino licenses will have to be approved by voters in a special countywide election.

“This is a great day for the people of Arkansas: today, and every day forward, no Arkansas community will have a casino that they don’t want forced into their hometown,” Hans Stiritz, spokesperson for Local Voters in Charge, the campaign behind the measure, said in a statement.

Pope County was one of four sites where casinos were allowed to be built under a constitutional amendment that voters approved in 2018. Casinos have already been set up in the other three locations. Cherokee Nation Businesses spent at least $12 million on the campaign against the amendment.

“Issue 2 is a devastating setback to the economic future of the communities in Pope County and the state of Arkansas,” Chuck Garrett, CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses, said in a statement late Tuesday night.

Other proposals that would have scaled back the state’s abortion ban and expanded its medical marijuana program were disqualified from the ballot by state election officials and the state Supreme Court. The marijuana proposal appeared on the ballot but votes for it won’t be counted.

Voters approved a measure the Legislature placed on the ballot that allows proceeds from the state's lottery to be used to fund scholarships at vocational and technical schools.

FILE - Risie Howard speaks to reporters at the Arkansas Capitol, Nov. 14, 2023, in Little Rock, Ark. (AP Photo/Andrew Demillo, File)

FILE - Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., center, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, delivers remarks at the Capitol in Washington, March 27, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

FILE - Caitlin Draper poses for an official photo at the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Nov. 6, 2023, after filing paperwork to run for the 3rd Congressional District. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo, File)

FILE - Subcomittee Chairman Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., speaks during a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies on Capitol Hill, May 1, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

FILE - Marcus Jones, front left, files paperwork to run for Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District at the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Nov. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo, File)

FILE - Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., nominates Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as the House meets for the third day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

FILE - Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., speaks during a House Intelligence, Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation Subcommittee hearing on "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena," on Capitol Hill, May 17, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Justices who split on an abortion measure ruling vie to lead Arkansas Supreme Court

Justices who split on an abortion measure ruling vie to lead Arkansas Supreme Court

FILE - Boxes containing signatures supporting a proposed ballot measure to scale back Arkansas' abortion ban are delivered to a room in the state Capitol, July 5, 2024, in Little Rock, Ark. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo, File)