Former Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Mich., has dropped out of the race to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate. Meijer cited a lack of a strong pathway to victory and the risk of a divisive primary as reasons for his decision. Meijer, a member of the Meijer supermarket family, served as a congressman from 2021 to 2023 and was 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. The decision comes shortly after Trump congratulated “all Good Republicans” on Meijer’s withdrawal and declared that “the 10 Impeachers are just about gone.”
Following Meijer’s announcement, Trump took to Truth Social to criticize him for impeaching the former president and implied that his political career was over as a result. Trump applauded Meijer’s primary challenger, Mike Rogers, as a “GREAT Candidate” who is likely to win the nomination and ultimately the Senate seat in Michigan. Trump also predicted that Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington, another Republican who voted to impeach him, would be the next to lose re-election. Trump’s comments highlight the ongoing influence he maintains over the Republican Party and the consequences faced by those who have crossed him, particularly in primary elections.
Meijer’s decision to exit the Senate race leaves ten Republicans, including Rogers and Justin Amash, vying for the party’s nomination to replace retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. Rogers, who is currently the front-runner and has the support of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is likely to face Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., in the general election if he wins the primary. Slotkin, currently the leading Democratic candidate, is polling ahead of her top challenger, actor Hill Harper. The Senate race in Michigan is expected to be highly contested and closely watched as both parties vie for control of the chamber in the upcoming election.
Overall, Meijer’s withdrawal from the Senate race reflects the ongoing political dynamics within the Republican Party, particularly in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Capitol protests and Trump’s impeachment. Trump’s continued involvement and influence over GOP primary elections, as demonstrated by his comments on Meijer’s exit and support for Rogers, indicate a party that remains deeply divided and loyal to the former president. The upcoming Senate race in Michigan, with Rogers as the favored Republican candidate and Slotkin leading on the Democratic side, promises to be a key battleground as both parties seek to secure control of the Senate in the upcoming election.
