U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., is seen at the Republican Leadership Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI. Justin has represented Michigan’s Third District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011. He ran as a Republican and stayed with the party until July 2019, when he quit to become and Independent. He did so after becoming the first Republican to call for the impeachment of President Donald Trump following Special Council Robert Mueller’s report on possible Russian collusion.
Amash’s beliefs have always sided far more with Libertarian viewpoints than those of either Republican or Democratic parties. In 2019, he began courting smaller Libertarian media outlets and podcasts, leading to speculation that he was considering a possible run for the White House as a third party in 2020.
On Apr. 28, 2020, that speculation became a reality when Amash announced he was forming and exploratory committee to run against Incumbent Republican President Donald Trump and his presumed Democratic challenger Joe Biden. He tweeted, “Today, I launched an exploratory committee to seek the @LPNational’s nomination for president of the United States. Americans are ready for practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people.”
Justin continued, “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.”