Republican Michigan Senate nominee Mike Rogers said Saturday that winning the state’s open Senate seat is critical not only to determining control of the chamber but also to defeating a political movement he described as “anti-American” and intent on dramatically expanding the federal government.

“I think it’s critical in a whole bunch of ways, not only for the Senate,” Rogers said on Newsmax’s “Saturday Agenda” when asked about the importance of defeating Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed in November. Rogers, a former congressman and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, argued that the movement represented by El-Sayed and other progressives would reduce individual freedom and expand the federal government.

“You have a movement in America that is as close to being anti-American as I have ever seen,” Rogers said. “You’re actually reducing my freedom,” he added. “The government is going to be the largest expansion of the federal government in history. That’s what they’re talking about doing.”

Rogers also launched a series of attacks against El-Sayed’s positions, portraying the Democrat as far outside Michigan’s political mainstream. “I think once people understand his positions and how extreme he is,” Rogers said, voters will reject his candidacy.

Rogers accused El-Sayed of supporting efforts to defund police and policies that would release criminals and sex offenders from prison. He also accused El-Sayed of saying Americans “deserved 9/11” and criticized him over his response to an attempted attack on a synagogue. “This guy is so extreme,” Rogers said.

Rogers said his campaign intends to appeal to Democrats who may be uncomfortable with El-Sayed’s positions. “We’re actually going to work to get some of these Democrats who love their party and understand the difference,” Rogers said. “We’re going to talk to them. We’re going to recruit them in.”

Rogers said the stakes extend beyond control of the Senate, arguing Republicans need to “drive a stake in the heart of this movement that really wants to dismantle America as we know it.” He also accused the movement of being fueled by antisemitism. “This antisemitic hate is no movement to build hope and prosperity for the future,” Rogers said. “Matter of fact, that is, I argue, about as anti-American as you can get.”

Rogers and El-Sayed are competing for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. The November race could play a significant role in determining control of the Senate.