The 2018 U.S. Senate race got a shake-up Wednesday, but not because someone was entering the race. Instead, the shake-up came from Republican Bob Young's decision to step down as a candidate.
Young is the former Chief Justice for the Michigan Supreme Court. He was running for his party’s nomination to take on long-time incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow.
Young made the announcement on radio station WJR. He said the Republicans need to gather around a candidate as soon as possible – so he’s reducing the competition.
“I don’t need another public office and I thought the better course to ensure her defeat was for me to step aside,” he said.
Young said the Republicans need consensus going into the August primary. That way, he said, they can use the momentum to defeat Stabenow.
“I think having three very competitive players in the mix makes it very difficult to get to that acceleration point in the summer,” he said.
Businessman John James and financier Sandy Pensler are still in the race for the Republican spot on the ticket. Voters will decide who goes up against the Democratic candidate during the August primary.
