The 2018 US Senate race got a shake up Wednesday, but not because of someone entering the race. Republican Bob Young decided to step down from the race.
Young is the former Chief Justice for the Michigan Supreme Court. He was running for his party’s nomination to take on long-time incumbent Democrat, Debbie Stabenow.
Young made the announcement on radio station WJR. Young said the Republicans need to gather around a candidate as soon as possible – so he’s reducing the competition.
“I don’t need another public office and I thought the better course to ensure her defeat was for me to step aside,” he said.
Young said the Republicans need consensus going into the August primary. That way, he said, they can use the momentum to defeat Stabenow.
“I think having three very competitive players in the mix makes it very difficult to get to that acceleration point in the summer,” he said.
Businessman John James and financier Sandy Pensler are still in the race for Republicans. Voters will decide who goes up against the democratic candidate during the August primary.