Justin Amash Takes Step Toward Presidential Run

TOPLINE

Rep. Justin Amash, I-Mich., on Tuesday announced the formation of an exploratory committee to seek the Libertarian Party’s nomination for president.

KEY FACTS

“Today, I launched an exploratory committee to seek the [Libertarian] nomination for president of the United States,” Amash tweeted, “Americans are ready for practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people.”

He continued, “we’re ready for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together. I’m excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president.”

Amash’s website says that he will work “for a government that secures our rights. For equality before the law. For an end to cronyism,” as well as “practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people.”

The move by the high-profile congressman threatens to upend an already-close presidential campaign, and may add difficulty to Biden’s efforts to peel off anti-Trump Republicans.

While a Morning Consult poll found Amash garnering just 1% nationally, a Detroit News/WDIV-TV poll of Michigan last June found native-son Amash would garner 10% of the vote in the critical battleground state, which would cut Biden’s lead over Trump in a head-to-head matchup in half, from 12 points to 6 points.

Key Background

Amash began his national political career as a member of the conservative Tea Party, riding into office in Michigan’s 3rd District in 2010 on a wave of Republican support. He was a founding member of the House Freedom caucus, a group of hard-right Republicans pushing for fiscal conservatism. However, he has described his politics as Libertarian, opposing traditionally conservative policies like government surveillance and increased military spending.

In 2016, Amash made headlines as one of the few Republicans to oppose Donald Trump’s candidacy. He was one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics in Congress until 2019, when he announced his support for the president’s impeachment over findings in the Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 election and subsequently left the Republican party a month later.

Tangent

Former Minnesota Senator and pro-wrestler Jesse Ventura also announced that he was considering a run for the Green Party nomination. A run by the independent Ventura would likely complicate things for Biden even further, as he shares many similar policy positions with Bernie Sanders on issues such as health care. He may be appealing to some Bernie Sanders voters looking for an excuse not to vote for Biden. 

What to Look For

Amash is throwing his hat into the ring after the Libertarian primaries have already come and gone, but it’s not too late for him. Unlike the two major parties, the Libertarian Party’s primaries and caucuses, most of which were won by lawyer Jacob Hornberger, are non-binding. Instead, the nominee is chosen by delegates at the convention, which is scheduled for May 21. Though the party’s delegates have in the past been suspicious of establishment politicians, Amash offers an attractive opportunity for the party to reach the much-coveted 5% threshold to get public funding.


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