“My wife and I have prayed hard about this race and how we can best serve our state and our country,” Meijer said in a statement announcing his run. “We’ve considered every aspect of the campaign, and we believe we have the best chance to take this seat back for Republicans and fight hard for a conservative future.”
However, Major’s entry was blocked by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) — the party task force that elects Republicans to the chamber.
Jason Thielman, the group’s executive director, said in a statement Monday that Meijer is unlikely to win the Republican primary.
“Peter Meijer is not viable in a primary, and there is concern that if Meijer is nominated, the base won’t be as excited about the general election,” Thielman said.
By comparison, NRSC Chairman Steve Daines said in September that he was pleased to see former Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) enter the Michigan Senate race.
“Mike is the type of candidate who will work well with suburban Michiganders and be a strong part of the final ticket in Michigan,” Daines said at the time.
Meijer, whose family founded the Meijer supermarket chain, is a business analyst and former U.S. Army reservist who served a stint in the House. His Senate campaign logo is reminiscent of earlier signs at his family’s supermarkets. The logo “represents my family, of whom I am very proud,” Meijer said in a statement.
After he voted to impeach Trump, Major was defeated in the 2022 GOP primary by John Gibbs, a former Trump administration official who ran with Trump’s support and accepted his false claims of a stolen election. Gibbs defeated Democrat Hillary J. in the general election. Defeated by Shaldon.
In a new campaign video, Meijer noted that he lost his seat with his impeachment vote.
“I’m running for Senate because we need leaders who are willing to stand up for what they believe in, no matter the risk,” he said. “If you know anything about me, you know I’m not afraid to risk my job. I hope to meet you. We’ll see you there.
In August, Meijer took the first step toward launching a Senate campaign by creating an exploratory committee.
Sen. who announced his retirement from the Senate in January. Meijer enters the race to replace Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). A Republican has not held a Michigan Senate seat since Stapenow took office in 2001.
Michigan Democratic Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes called Meijer’s entry into the Senate race “caustic” and “radioactive” in a statement.
“Michigan Republicans’ messy, messy Senate primary just keeps getting messier,” Barnes said. “Their infighting is sure to leave them with a candidate who will be badly damaged and leave working families.”
Other Republicans entered the race, too Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, state Board of Education member Nikki Snyder, attorney Alexandria Taylor and business executive Michael Hoover.
Among Democrats, moderate Rep. Eliza Slotkin (Mich.) was considered the front-runner in the nomination race after announcing her candidacy for the Senate seat in February.
The former CIA analyst is considered a formidable contender by many top Democrats with a proven track record of winning competitive House districts. She won her first election in 2018, prompting her to seek office to reject Trump like many other women that year. He has positioned himself as a moderate who rejects the positions and rhetoric adopted by the far left while supporting democratic principles such as abortion rights and the ban on assault weapons.
Other Democratic primary candidates include “The Good Doctor” actor Hill Harper, business executive Nassar Baytown, attorney Zach Burns, former state Rep. Leslie Love and Michigan State Board of Education Chairwoman Pamela Buck.
