(Source: MIRS.news, Published 04/26/2024) Former U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer and Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley have withdrawn from their respective races three days after turning in petition signatures to the Bureau of Elections.
Meijer, who turned in 23,487 signatures, said in a release he got into the race because he believed he had the strongest chance of winning in November, but the “fundamentals of the race have changed significantly,” which contributed to his withdrawal.
“Without a strong pathway to victory, continuing this campaign only increases the likelihood of a divisive primary that would distract from the essential goal – conservative victories in November,” Meijer said.
He thanked his supporters and said he would continue his work “for a better future” for Michigan and the country.
He was in a positive mood when he turned in his signatures on April 23.
With Meijer’s exit, four Republicans remain in the primary race: Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, former U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, Sherry O’Donnel and Sandy Pensler.
Three Democrats are also vying for the seat left open by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) announcing her retirement: U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly), Hill Harper and Nasser Beydoun.
Neeley, who turned in nearly 2,000 signatures, withdrew from running in the 8th Congressional District.
He said Tuesday it was a difficult decision and the only reason he filed his signatures was so he would have a choice to run or not, but ultimately, he was still the mayor of Flint.
The 8th District still has Matt Collier, Pamela Pugh, and Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) as Democratic candidates.
The Republicans in the eighth are Mary Draves, Anthony Hudson, Nikki Snyder, and Paul Junge.
In the 4th Congressional District Joseph Alfonso withdrew from the race, leaving Jessica Swartz as the only Democrat to run against U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland). Republican Brendan MUIR was also running against Huizenga in the primary.
The 13th Congressional District saw Democrat Mohammad Rabbi Alam get disqualified, leaving Shakira Lynn Hawkins, Mary Waters and Adam Hollier to run against U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit) in the primary.
Martell Bivings would be the Republican running against the winner.
Other notable withdraws included: both Republicans in the 83rd District, leaving only Tommy Brann and Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming); Annette LeBaron, leaving Rep. Donni Steele (R-Lake Orion) and Shadia Martini; Republican Joe DeSana, the son of Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton); and Frank Liberati, who filed to run against his younger brother Rep. Tullio Liberati, Jr. (D-Allen Park) as a Democrat, dropped.
A couple state rep candidates had to refile because of the Detroit House District redraw. Eric Love was dropped from the 6th District and put in the 5th District. Gus Tarraf was taken from the 4th District and refiled in the 3rd District with Ziad Abdulmalik against Rep. Alabas A. Farhat (D-Dearborn).
