Former Rep. Justin Amash has jumped into the Republican primary race for Michigan‘s open U.S. Senate seat, a race that could decide the Senate majority in a battleground state that also could determine the outcome of November’s presidential election.
A political turncoat and supporter of former President Donald Trump‘s first impeachment, Amash represented Michigan’s Grand Rapids-anchored 3rd Congressional District as a Republican, an independent, and then as a Libertarian during the decade he was in the House before he retired in 2021. His announcement spices up the GOP primary as the party had started coalescing behind former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers.
“After thoroughly evaluating all aspects of a potential campaign, I’m convinced that no candidate would be better positioned to win both the Republican primary and the general election,” Amash wrote on social media Thursday. “That’s why, today, I’m making it official: I’m joining the race for United States Senate in Michigan.”
As the second Palestinian member of Congress, Amash’s announcement coincides with President Joe Biden‘s political problems among Michigan’s Arab and Muslim American communities amid the Israel–Hamas war in Gaza. More than 100,000 Democrats marked themselves as “uncommitted” during this week’s primary to protest Biden’s approach to the conflict, though another 623,000 voted for the president.
“My parents arrived in the United States as teenagers in search of a better future — my father, a Palestinian refugee, and my mother, a Syrian immigrant,” Amash wrote. “They instilled in me a love for America and for the values and principles at the heart of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
“We live in the greatest country on earth, but the ideals that have made it great are increasingly taken for granted,” he said. “People often feel helpless and hopeless, unheard and ignored by Washington, and trapped between opposing forces who reject America’s principles or don’t understand them.”
Michigan’s Class I U.S. Senate seat, held by retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), is considered a Democratic-leaning toss-up race by election prognosticators, including the Cook Political Report. On the Democratic side, the top candidate is Rep. Elissa Stolkin (D-MI), though actor Hill Harper recently has created some buzz.
“Regardless of who wins the White House and Congress, the United States will remain deeply polarized,” Amash said. “What we need is not a rubber stamp for either party, but an independent-minded senator prepared to challenge anyone and everyone on the people’s behalf — someone focused not on extending federal power so Republicans or Democrats in Washington can achieve their political ends, but on ensuring that Americans have the personal and economic freedom to pursue their own ends.
“The advantage is ours in this battle, but that doesn’t mean victory will be easy,” he added. “Mitch McConnell’s handpicked candidate, Mike Rogers, has built his career on expanding the power of the state at the expense of individual liberty, and the establishment will stop at nothing to get him elected.”
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Rogers, who is also competing against former Rep. Peter Meijer of Meijer superstore chain fame and former Wayne County commissioner Sandy Pensler, earlier this month marked the departure of former Detroit Police Chief James Craig from the race.
“James Craig is a true son of Detroit who built a long and distinguished career in law enforcement that brought real change, safety, and security to his hometown,” Rogers wrote. “He made a real difference for the community and his dedication to public safety is respected throughout Southeast Michigan and America. I hope that he will continue to be engaged and I will seek his counsel on how we can work together to bring a brighter and safer future for all Michiganders.”
