Amash explores Senate bid in Michigan

Former Rep. Justin Amash (Mich.) is exploring a possible Senate run in the Republican primary in Michigan, saying a “principled, consistent constitutional conservative” is needed in the Senate. 

Amash said Thursday in a post on X, formerly Twitter, he has launched an exploratory committee as he considers a run for the Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D). He said many people have urged him in recent weeks to run in the GOP primary. 

“They see what I see: contenders for the seat who are uninspired, unserious, and unprepared to tackle the chief impediment to liberty and economic prosperity—an overgrown and abusive government that strives to centralize power and snuff out individualism,” Amash said. “The people of Michigan and our country deserve better.” 

The race for the Republican nomination already features former Rep. Mike Rogers, former Rep. Peter Meijer and former Detroit Police Chief James Craig. 

Rogers has gained the most establishment support for his candidacy of those in the race. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), the chair of Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, said when Rogers announced his candidacy that he was “pleased” to see Rogers join the race. 

Amash served in his House seat representing Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District for 10 years before choosing not to run for reelection in 2020. He became a sharp critic of former President Trump during the latter part of his tenure and eventually left the party to become an independent based on his issues with the status of the GOP. 

He later registered as a Libertarian, becoming the first member of that party to serve in Congress. 

Meijer was elected to succeed Amash. He was one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump over his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. 

But Meijer has said since launching his bid that he would support whoever is the Republican nominee in 2024, including Trump.

Rogers and Amash also have a somewhat contentious history. Rogers raised money for a primary challenger against Amash in 2014 after the two of them feuded over national security issues.

Amash was ultimately able to fend off the primary challenge and win reelection.

Amash said the right choice for Senate should be someone who has a record of “taking on the bipartisan oligarchy, defending sound money and free speech, fighting the surveillance state and military-industrial complex, and protecting all our rights.” 

“The stakes are high: freedom, social cooperation, and human progress itself,” he said.

Updated at 4:01 p.m.