Former Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI), who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump, has declared his candidacy for the open U.S. Senate seat up for grabs this year in Michigan. Amash, who left the GOP in 2019, is stepping back into the ring as a Republican, reigniting conversations about the party’s future and its principles.
Amash, known for talking about his libertarian leanings, has positioned himself as a principled, consistent constitutional conservative — sound familiar? He articulated a strong belief in his unique positioning to secure victory in both the primary and the general elections, emphasizing his commitment to the principles of liberty and constitutional governance.
Former Rep. Justin Amash announces bid for open US Senate seat in Michigan https://t.co/yowhvJ2zYx pic.twitter.com/zl3P8nTmm1
— New York Post (@nypost) February 29, 2024
The race for the Senate seat, left open by the retirement of Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), has become a battleground for different factions within the Republican Party. Amash’s entry adds complexity to a field that includes former Reps. Mike Rogers (R-MI) and Peter Meijer (R-MI), among others — Meijer’s candidacy is also marred by his past impeachment vote against President Donald Trump.
The former congressman has criticized Rogers for expanding state power at the expense of individual liberty.
On the Democratic side, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) leads in fundraising and is considered a strong contender, making the general election a critical showdown for both parties. The Michigan race will be critical to control of the Senate after this November’s general election as Democrats may have to scramble to defend what has been a safe seat for their party for three decades.
Amash’s bid represents more than just another Senate race — it reflects the ongoing struggle within the Republican Party between the old party that accomplished almost nothing and a more populist, Trump-aligned approach.
