DES MOINES, Iowa â On Tuesday night, U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, I-Mich., launched his presidential exploratory committee for the Libertarian nomination in 2020.
âWeâre ready for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together. Iâm excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president,â Amash announced on Twitter.
âAmericans are ready for practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people,â he added.
Amash, 40, was first elected to represent Michiganâs 3rd Congressional District in 2010 after winning re-election three times as a Republican. He was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and that opposition drew a primary challenge by Trump supporter, State Rep. Jim Lower. In a poll conducted in June of 2019, after Amash spoke in favor of impeachment, the incumbent congressman trailed Lower by 16 points.
He left the Republican Party on Independence Day, and voted in favor of both articles of impeachment against Trump in December.
The Libertarian Party is a natural fit for Amash, considered one of the most libertarian-leaning Republicans in Congress before leaving the party.
âAmash joining the race certainly makes it more interesting, he is someone I have long supported as a congressman, and I welcome him to our party,â Joseph Howe, former chairman of the Libertarian Party of Iowa, told Caffeinated Thoughts.
Howe said that Amash faces a difficult challenge to win the partyâs nomination at the national convention because with the convention being just a month away, the lost the opportunity to court delegates at state conventions.
He noted that Iowaâs delegates to the national convention are not bound to vote for the stateâs Libertarian caucus winner, Jacob Hornberger, but many delegates have committed to candidates already.
âIf he is our nominee, I will proudly support him and am eager to have his voice added to the Libertarian debate,â Howe added.