Former Rep. Peter Meijer Ends Michigan GOP Senate Campaign

Former Rep. Peter Meijer, who lost his House seat after voting to impeach then-President Donald Trump, dropped out of a crowded Republican Senate primary in Michigan.

Angela Benander, spokeswoman for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, confirmed to NBC News that Meijer withdrew his candidacy before the Friday afternoon deadline.

“I entered this race because I believed I had the best chance of winning in November to work to correct this situation and reverse trends that have only worsened in recent months,” Meijer said in a statement.

“The harsh reality is that the fundamentals of running have changed significantly since we launched this campaign,” Meijer, who presented campaign petitions earlier in the week, he added. “After fervent consideration, today I withdrew my name from the primary ballot. Without a strong path to victory, continuing this campaign only increases the likelihood of a divisive primary that would divert attention from the essential objective – conservative victories in November.”

Former Rep. Mike Rogers, who has been endorsed by Trump and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has in recent months solidified support from the Republican Party ahead of the August primary that also includes former Rep. Justin Amash, businesswoman Sandy Pensler and doctor Sherry O’Donnell. James Craig, a former Detroit police chief who was seen as a leading candidate for the nomination, dropped out of the race early and endorsed Rogers.

Representative Elissa Slotkin is the favorite in a Democratic field that also features actor Hill Harper and businessman Nasser Beydoun.

Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow is not seeking a fourth term. Her retirement has kicked off what is expected to be a competitive race in a presidential battleground.

Meijer, given its past criticism of Trump and its vote to impeach following the January 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, has always been seen as a long shot. Amash, another Trump critic who Meijer succeeded in Congress, voted to impeach Trump in 2019.

But Meijer sought to soften its stance on Trump, acknowledging in a Politico interview last year that he was prepared to vote for whoever the Republicans nominate for president in 2024. Trump won enough delegates to secure the nomination.

Trump responded Friday night to Meijer’s withdrawal, citing his support for impeachment.

“After he raised his dainty little hand to accuse President Trump, his political career was over!” Trump he wrote in Social Truth. “Last time, he lost in the primary to a nice but unknown person, and now he lost to a GREAT candidate, Mike Rogers, who will easily WIN the nomination and WIN the Senate, BIG, in Michigan.”