Former Republican Rep. Justin Amash says he will not run for president this year

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• After reflecting on political realities amidst the coronavirus outbreak, Rep. Justin Amash decided not to pursue his plans of a presidential bid as an independent.
• Last year, Amash left the Republican party, citing too much partisan national politics, noting that the GOP was heading toward a downward spin.
• Amash spoke in favor of the impeachment against Trump, one of the few party mates that were vocal with the charges against the president.

On Saturday, Independent Michigan Rep. Justin Amash confirmed that he is not to run for the presidential race this year. In April, he announced that he may consider filing a bid for the highest position in the land under the Libertarian Party.

Formerly under the wings of the Republican Party, Amash tweeted that several circumstances were not in his favor, making him decide not to pursue his plans for the presidency. He noted that he deliberated his options before making a final decision.

Amash further noted that the choice he made was difficult after seeing his follower’s efforts, and he felt humbled with the support, but the unexpected coronavirus crisis and the political division amidst the pandemic campaigning more challenging.

The 40-year-old lawmaker has withdrawn from the Republican Party and its House Freedom Caucus a year ago. This was after Amash felt disheartened with too much partisan politics at the national level, calling it a “death spiral.”

During the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump in May of last year, Amash rose to the occasion by becoming one of the few Republicans who was vocal with the probable impeachable wrongdoings about the alleged influence of the Russians in 2016’s national election.

The lower house impeached Trump but was later in the clear during proceedings at the Senate in February.

Upon declaring that he is to leave the Republican Party, Trump lambasted Amash by calling him one of the most ignorant and unfaithful representatives in Congress.

Trump even ridiculed Amash’s investigative House committee, commenting via Twitter that the now-independent representative would be a significant candidate, sarcastically noting that he was lagging behind in Michigan’s 3rd district and has little to no chance of keeping his seat in Congress.

Source: AOL