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Mike Rogers Visits Michigan BAPS Temple Amidst Senate Race and Usha Vance Controversy
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Firstpost•21-09-2026, 10:23
Mike Rogers Visits Michigan BAPS Temple Amidst Senate Race and Usha Vance Controversy
- •Former US Representative Mike Rogers, a Republican candidate for the Michigan Senate, visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Canton with his wife, Kristi, engaging with the local community.
- •Rogers' visit highlights candidates' increasing engagement with Michigan's Indian-American community, which has a significant presence in the state.
- •The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, part of a global Hindu organization, serves as a religious, cultural, and community hub, hosting various programs.
- •The visit occurs amidst a controversy involving BAPS in Paris, where Eiffel Tower staff alleged requests to limit interactions with women during a delegation visit, leading to an apology from BAPS.
- •Rogers is campaigning for an open US Senate seat against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, whose recent comments about Usha Vance sparked national attention and criticism from JD Vance.
Key Questions Answered
Mike Rogers is set to face Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in the November 2026 election for the open U.S. Senate seat after incumbent Senator Gary Peters chose not to seek another term.
Data from the Indian American Voter Atlas based on recent American Community Survey figures puts Michigan's Asian Indian population at approximately 127,600, accounting for about 1.27 percent of the state's total population.
The controversy erupted after a BAPS delegation's September 5 visit to the Eiffel Tower, where staff unions alleged female employees were asked to move away or limit interactions, leading to a temporary staff strike and closure.
