Justin Amash Announces Possible Presidential Run, Seeking Nomination From the Libertarian Party

Former Republican turned oh so precious Independent, Justin Amash, has announced he is starting an exploratory committee to look into a possible presidential run as the Libertarian candidate.

Let’s do this. https://t.co/AhpQQhTauh

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) April 29, 2020

“Americans are ready for practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people,” he said in his announcement. “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.”

His potential entry into the race comes after more than a year of deliberation.

In recent days it became more evident that Amash was likely to launch a campaign for the presidency. Earlier this month, he said he was looking “closely” at a bid and two weeks ago he said in a statement that he stopped actively campaigning for his House seat in mid-February while he considered jumping into the presidential race.

He was facing a tough reelection in Michigan’s 3rd District. National Republicans were eager to defeat him, and several Republicans have been running for the seat.

If he is to run in the general election for president, Amash will have to win the Libertarian Party’s nomination at their convention in Austin, Texas, which is currently set for the end of May. That timing could change depending on the coronavirus pandemic.

WHY???  Just, why? He has zero chance of winning. None. This is not Amash for America.  This is Amash for Amash.

On the whole though, I’m pretty happy about this announcement.  The only people who I can realistically see voting for Amash are pissed off Bernie Bros or Never Trumpers.  Neither of those groups would vote for President Trump but might otherwise hold their nose and vote for Joe Biden.

Thankfully, I see this helping Trump more than Biden, which is ironic since Amash hates Trump.

Amash is not making any new friends with his announcement.

Justin Amash will appeal to two groups of voters:

1) conservatives who hate Trump

2) people with no ideology who see a chance to feel special by voting for neither party

Both these groups would otherwise have been tempted to vote for Biden. So yes, he'll cost Biden votes.

— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) April 29, 2020

Justin Amash should now be shunned.

The shunning can cease when he abandons his vanity third-party presidential campaign and dedicates himself to removing Trump from power.

Those are the new rules. You’re welcome.

— Leah McElrath 🏳️‍🌈 (@leahmcelrath) April 29, 2020

https://twitter.com/JSafkow/status/1255466526150397953?s=20

To my libertarian friends:

You can do a lot better than Justin Amash

Seriously

— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) April 29, 2020