Michigan Rep. Bill Huizenga said Wednesday that he would not run for the state’s open Senate seat next year, seemingly clearing the field for former Rep. Mike Rogers to be the Republican nominee.
“After careful consideration with Natalie and my family, as well as in consultation with President Trump, I have decided against a bid for U.S. Senate in Michigan,” Huizenga said on social media “I am proud of our effort and am grateful for the outpouring of support and encouragement I received from Michiganders across our great state. I look forward to announcing my future plans later this year.”
Huizenga, who is serving his eighth term in the House, had been considering joining Rogers in the Republican primary. But Senate Republicans rallied around Rogers, who lost a close race for the state’s other Senate seat last year, after he announced a bid to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
Alex Latcham, the executive director of the GOP super PAC Senate Leadership Fund, said the group would support Rogers’ campaign “every step of the way.”
“Leader Thune and Chairman Scott supported Mike Rogers from the beginning and now is the time to unite and let Democrats fight over their First Place Loser,” he said.
Rogers said in a statement Wednesday marking the 100th day of his campaign that his team “is continuing to charge full steam ahead to win this seat and put Michigan first.”
“Michiganders are more motivated than ever to get our state back on track, and they know that we are the team to make it happen – whether that be strengthening our schools, bringing back good-paying jobs, or making life more affordable for hard-working families,” Rogers said.
The Michigan seat is one of Senate Republicans’ best pickup opportunities in next year’s midterm elections as they try to grow their current 53-seat majority.
While Republicans appear poised to avoid a costly, competitive primary in Michigan, Democrats face a crowded contest, with Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, former state House Speaker Joe Tate and former Michigan public health official Abdul El-Sayed all seeking the party’s nomination.
Huizenga didn’t immediately say whether he planned to run again in his West Michigan district, which is one of 35 House seats Democrats are targeting nationally. While Huizenga won an eighth term by 12 points last fall, Trump carried his district by less than 6 points, according to calculations by The Downballot.
At least four Democrats have already entered the race for the 4th District, including state Sen. Sean McCann and 2024 nominee Jessica Swartz.
“Bill Huizenga doesn’t work for the people of Southwest Michigan, instead he serves special interests and leaves working families behind,” McCann, who launched a bid earlier this month, said in a statement Wednesday. “It’s time Washington focused on regular people.”
Huizenga reported raising $747,000 in the second quarter of this year and had $1.4 million on hand at the end of June, filings with the Federal Election Commission show.
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates Michigan’s Senate race as a battleground and the contest for the 4th District as Likely Republican.
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