Huizenga skips Michigan Senate race
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Rep. Bill Huizenga won't run in the Michigan Senate race, he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Why it matters: Huizenga's decision to pass on the Senate opens up a clearer path for former Rep. Mike Rogers, the Senate GOP's preferred candidate.
- "There's no doubt that Mike Rogers is poised to be Michigan's next U.S. Senator, and Senate Leadership Fund will support his campaign every step of the way." Senate Leadership Fund Executive Director Alex Latcham said in a statement.
Between the lines: Huizenga hasn't given a clear indication that he has decided to run for reelection to the House.
- "I look forward to announcing my future plans later this year," he said in a statement.
- Huizenga raised $747,000 in the second quarter, leaving him with $1.4 million in cash on hand.
Zoom in: The White House has been putting pressure on House Republicans in swing districts to forgo senate or gubernatorial campaigns to help President Trump retain the House majority.
- Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) became the latest House Republican to officially take a pass on a statewide bid when he announced his plans to run House on Wednesday morning.
- "I've decided the right thing to do for me, my family and my district is to run for re-election," Lawler said said on "Fox & Friends" after telling the New York Times that he wouldn't be running for governor.
- Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) decided to run for House reelection and forgo a governor's bid after pressure from the White House.
Zoom out: Republicans had been dreading the prospect of an expensive Michigan primary.
- His House colleagues clearly want Huizenga to run for reelection to his district.
- "He's incredibly valuable to the team," House Majority Whip Tom Emmer said at an Axios News Shapers event in Washington. "I'd be encouraging him to stay with it for at least another term or two because we are doing big things and he's part to it."
- "We need leaders like Bill."
