Rep. Bill Huizenga Passes On Michigan Senate Run, Clearing Gop Field For Mike Rogers

Republicans whitethorn conscionable debar a bitter superior successful nan pivotal Michigan Senate race, pinch GOP Rep. Bill Huizenga announcing Wednesday that he has decided not to run.

“After observant information pinch Natalie and my family, arsenic good arsenic successful consultation pinch President Trump, I person decided against a bid for U.S. Senate successful Michigan,” Huizenga said successful posted connected X. “I americium proud of our effort and americium grateful for nan outpouring of support and encouragement I received from Michiganders crossed our awesome state. I look guardant to announcing my early plans later this year.”

The Detroit News reported that Huizenga and Trump spoke past week. Trump has not yet endorsed a campaigner successful nan Michigan Senate race, though he is expected to backmost erstwhile GOP Rep. Mike Rogers soon, according to 2 GOP sources.

Huizenga's determination apt clears nan Republican superior section for Rogers, who has already racked up endorsements from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott, R-S.C. Rogers mislaid a adjacent Senate title past twelvemonth to Democrat Elissa Slotkin arsenic Trump won Michigan by 1 percent point.

Alex Latcham, nan executive head of nan Thune-aligned ace PAC Senate Leadership Fund, said successful a statement, “There’s nary uncertainty that Mike Rogers is poised to beryllium Michigan’s adjacent U.S. Senator, and Senate Leadership Fund will support his run each measurement of nan way. Leader Thune and Chairman Scott supported Mike Rogers from nan opening and now is nan clip to merge and fto Democrats conflict complete their First Place Loser.”

The Michigan Senate title is an unfastened title adjacent year, pinch Democratic Sen. Gary Peters retiring. The authorities is simply a apical Republican target adjacent twelvemonth arsenic nan statement looks to grow its 53-47 Senate majority.

Democrats person a crowded superior connected their broadside of nan aisle, pinch Rep. Haley Stevens, State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, erstwhile Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed and erstwhile authorities House Speaker Joe Tate competing for nan nomination.

Huizenga's announcement comes aft chap GOP Rep. Mike Lawler announced he would not tally for politician successful New York aft Trump publically encouraged Lawler to tally for re-election to nan House. GOP Rep. Zach Nunn had besides been weighing a tally for politician successful Iowa, but announced he would tally alternatively for nan House aft speaking pinch Trump, who posted connected Truth Social that Nunn is "a squad player."