Michigan Congressman Justin Amash has decided to explore a run for a higher office: President of the United States.
On Twitter Tuesday night, Amash announced he’s formed an exploratory committee to run for the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination.
“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 has spent the last decade representing Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District, mostly as a Republican. He left the GOP last year after saying he supported impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump. Amash has been an independent for nearly the past year.
Stateside talked to Michigan Radio reporter Dustin Dwyer about why Amash's announcement is creating buzz across the political spectrum. Hear that conversation above.
Amash has been a frequent critic of President Trump. He drew the President's ire by saying Trump had engaged in impeachable conduct as described in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report.
For that, the president called Amash "dumb” and “disloyal.”
Amash has been weighing a third-party presidential run for months, one that would mean joining a crowded field seeking the Libertarian presidential nomination.
He would likely be the best known out of a field of candidates little known outside of Libertarian Party circles.
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