Kristi Rogers, wife of Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers, distributed $10 gas cards to drivers at a Detroit gas station on Wednesday. The move has prompted online speculation about whether the distribution constitutes an illegal campaign tactic.
The giveaway occurred at a Freedom Fuel Network station, a chain previously praised by Donald Trump and his administration for allegedly lowering gas prices. While the White House insisted in July that Freedom Fuel was a private company acting independently, critics have raised questions.
This event comes as Mike Rogers has been campaigning against the impact of the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has contributed to a rise in gas prices since February. The national average for a gallon of gasoline is $4.33, according to AAA, an increase of nearly $1.27 compared to a year ago. Diesel fuel also reached a record $6.52 per gallon last month.
Video clips shared on social media show customers expressing enthusiasm for the gas cards. However, critics have questioned the legality and optics of the giveaway. Some social media users described the action as "laughable and pathetic," suggesting that Republicans should focus on addressing the war rather than distributing gas cards. Jeff Timmer, a senior adviser with the Lincoln Project, commented on X that the giveaway was "ham-handed and cringy" and suggested it was not the product of political professionals, adding it "screams ‘placating the panicked candidate and/or spouse’."
Mark Brewer, an election lawyer and former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, told The Detroit News that the context of Rogers' statements during the giveaway is important. He noted that it is illegal under Michigan election law to offer money or a "thing of value" to influence voting or voter registration. Brewer described the event as "really odd" and a potential "sign of desperation from the Rogers campaign."
A similar gas card handout by Herschel Walker's U.S. Senate campaign in 2022 also generated discussions regarding campaign finance laws.