Former Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.) has dropped his bid for Senate, according to a statement posted to the social platform X Friday.
“After prayerful consideration, today I withdrew my name from the primary ballot,” Meiijer said in the statement. “Without a strong pathway to victory, continuing this campaign only increases the likelihood of a divisive primary that would distract from the essential goal – conservative victories in November.”
Meijer, who voted to impeach former President Trump in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, launched a bid for the Senate in November to replace Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). He was one of 10 Republicans in the House to vote to impeach the former president after the Capitol riot.
“I am deeply humbled by the support our campaign has received, for those who lent time and resources to get us to this point, and for the thousands of Michiganders I met who inspired me on the campaign trail,” Meijer said in the statement on X.
Meijer clashed with the campaign arm of the Senate GOP, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), over his bid for the Senate seat. Former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) was courted by the NRSC to come into the race.
“Peter Meijer isn’t viable in a primary election, and there’s worry that if Meijer were nominated, the base would not be enthused in the general election,” NRSC Executive Director Jason Thielman said in a statement.
Meijer’s campaign took its own swing at the NRSC, saying in a statement to The Hill: “Not surprised that DC Republicans prefer someone who won’t rock the boat and will do as he’s told. That’s not me.”
“Call me old-fashioned, but I care more about what Michigan voters think. NRSC admits on background that they’d prefer a centrist … and that’s fine. That’s not me either. I’m a constitutionalist conservative,” the statement added.
Trump celebrated the news Friday, taking a swing at both Meijer and another Republican who voted to impeach him after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol: Rep. Dan Newhouse (Wash.).
“Congratulations to all Good Republicans! Peter Meijer, one of the 10 Impeachers of your Favorite President, ME, and someone thought of to have a very good political future, has just withdrawn from the Senate Race in the Great State of Michigan,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Once he raised his very little and delicate hand to Impeach President Trump, his Political Career was OVER!” the former president continued. “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 go on to WIN the Senate, BIG, in Michigan.”
He added, “Happily, the 10 Impeachers are just about gone. Newhouse, in Washington State, will be next – VOTE FOR JERROD SESSLER!”