Justin Amash Announces Possible Senate Run in 2014

With Sen. Carl Levin (Dinosaur-Mich.) recently announcing his impending retirement, the numero uno libertarian in the House of Representatives, Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), has thrown his hat in the ring, according to the Detroit News.

U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, a young firebrand in the lower chamber who has championed a Ron Paul-style of libertarian politics, said Monday he is "certainly open" to a run in 2014.

"Frankly, we can't afford to nominate another unelectable establishment Republican," Amash, R-Cascade Township, told The Detroit News. "History shows they don't appeal to moderate and independent voters."

Amash is not the only Republican considering the seat, but:

"I don't think any of the names that are being tossed around have quite hit the spot for most Republican voters or for most voters in the general election," Amash said. "People both within the Republican Party and within the general electorate are tired of the pro-corporate welfare, anti-civil liberties Republican. I think we need to stop running on the past."

Brian Doherty wrote about the Amash-for-Senate trial balloon last month (in a post linking back to much of Reason's Amash coverage). Nick Gillespie interviewed the maverick young congressman about the sequester last month; a longer Q&A from that session will be posted here soon.