High fuel prices have taken a toll on Republicans like Rogers, who continues to trail radical Islamist Abdul El-Sayed for the critical seat held by retiring Democrat Gary Peters.
Several Republicans are calling for an end or rapid conclusion to the Iran war for various reasons, including the economic impact and the absence of a defined mission/end point.
Iowa Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson has said the war needs to be "brought to a successful and immediate end," citing the impact of rising energy costs in her state.
Jon Husted (Ohio) has likewise said, "The war needs to come to an end as quickly as possible so that we can lower gas prices."
Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn (Iowa) have said they would not support keeping U.S. troops in an "open-ended" war and have called for a plan to end the conflict so troops can come home, with the latter arguing that the U.S. can pressure Iran and defend Americans while pursuing peace.
"I think the best option now is to wind it down," Rogers stated at a campaign news conference earlier this week. "There are still other things you can do to make sure that they can't hurt their neighbors and can't pursue a nuclear weapon."
Ending the war and achieving President Donald Trump's original objectives of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, destroying its ballistic-missile and military capabilities, weakening its ability to project power through the region, and potentially facilitating regime change are not necessarily the same thing.
Trump has increasingly emphasized economic isolation and negotiations alongside military pressure, while the administration says its military campaign has already significantly degraded Iran's conventional military and nuclear capabilities.
"I just argue the time is now," Rogers said. "This is the most important harvest time of the year in Michigan, September and October. Diesel costs are pushing over six bucks. That is going to take a horrific toll not only on our farmers trying to get the harvest out of the field, but certainly grocery prices, and my argument is you just can't let it go and linger. Now is the time to start winding this thing up."
Meanwhile, a broader group of Republicans has supported congressional efforts to end or restrict the conflict. Thomas Massie (Kentucky), Tom Barrett (Michigan), Warren Davidson (Ohio), and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania) were among the first Republicans to support a House war-powers resolution.
More recently, Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Rand Paul (Kentucky), and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) voted with Democrats to advance a Senate resolution directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran absent congressional authorization. It failed 49–50.
Rogers believes ending the war now is the right thing to do.
"My conviction tells me it's time to start wrapping this thing up," he said. "I don't worry about what other Senate candidates do around the country; I know it's put undue pressure on us here at home on prices."
