Peter Meijer, the Republican who voted to impeach Trump, drops out of Senate primary.

Peter Meijer, a Republican who made headlines for voting to impeach former President Donald J. Trump, has announced his decision to drop out of the Republican primary race for U.S. Senate in Michigan. In a statement posted on Facebook, Meijer cited the changing dynamics of the race and the lack of a clear path to victory as reasons for his withdrawal.

Meijer was facing stiff competition in the primary race, including from Mike Rogers, a former House member who was endorsed by Trump for the Senate seat. The Secretary of State’s office confirmed Meijer’s withdrawal, meaning he will not be on the ballot on Aug. 6.

The timing of Meijer’s exit is significant, coming just five days before Trump’s scheduled rally in Michigan, where he is expected to endorse Rogers. Meijer expressed concerns about a divisive primary that could detract from the goal of conservative victories in November.

The Senate seat in Michigan, currently held by Democrat Debbie Stabenow, is up for grabs in a closely watched race that could determine control of the Senate. Meijer’s departure does not eliminate Trump critics from the primary, as Justin Amash, another Republican who supported Trump’s impeachment, remains in the race.

Meijer, a scion of the Meijer supermarket empire and an Army Reserve veteran, was ousted from his House seat in the 2022 midterm elections by a far-right challenger endorsed by Trump. His decision to withdraw from the Senate race has sparked speculation about his future political aspirations. Republican Party chairman Pete Hoekstra acknowledged rumors of Meijer’s exit and praised his decision as a strategic move for his political career.