Former Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Mich., has made a surprising announcement on Friday evening, revealing that he has dropped out of the race to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate. Meijer, who comes from a family that founded the Meijer supermarket chain, cited changing fundamentals of the race as the reason for his decision.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Meijer expressed his belief that he had the strongest chance of winning in November to make a positive impact. However, after careful consideration, he concluded that without a clear pathway to victory, continuing his campaign would only lead to a divisive primary that could detract from the goal of conservative victories in November.
Meijer, who previously served as the representative for Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District, faced backlash for being one of ten House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, protests at the U.S. Capitol. Following his announcement, Trump took to social media to congratulate Republicans and assert that the “10 Impeachers” are on their way out.
With Meijer’s exit from the race, former Rep. Mike Rogers emerges as the favored Republican candidate seeking to replace retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. Rogers, who has received support from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is expected to face off against top Democratic contender Rep. Elissa Slotkin in the general election.
The race for the Michigan Senate seat continues to heat up as candidates from both parties vie for the opportunity to represent the state in the upper chamber of Congress. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
