Four candidates are running in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in Michigan—Justin Amash (R), Sherry O’Donnell (R), Sandy Pensler (R), and Mike Rogers (R). Three candidates lead in campaign finance and media attention: Amash, Pensler, and Rogers. Incumbent Debbie Stabenow (D), who was first elected in 2000, is not running for re-election.

Michigan pollster Richard Czuba told Michigan Bridge, “It’s going to become a particularly nasty race, from what we’re seeing very early on. It’s going to drain a lot of resources that the Republican candidates don’t seem to have.”

Amash represented Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District from 2011 to 2021. His professional experience included working as a lawyer at Varnum LLP and as a legal consultant for Michigan Industrial Tools. Amash said he is running because “We need a principled, consistent constitutional conservative in the Senate—someone with a record of taking on the bipartisan oligarchy, defending sound money and free speech, fighting the surveillance state and military-industrial complex, and protecting all our rights.” The Detroit Free Press endorsed Amash.

Pensler is a private investor and financial advisor. He also founded the investment firm Pensler Capital and four manufacturing plants. Pensler said his finance and business background would help him represent Michigan in the Senate: “I am a seasoned and successful business person. I bring an economic outlook and a hard-nosed approach to problems. I want the job but, because I’m not a professional politician, I don’t need the job. Everyone else that’s running is not in that position.” Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (R) endorsed Pensler.

Rogers represented Michigan’s 8th Congressional District from 2001-2015. His professional experience included working as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He also worked in talk radio and cybersecurity. Rogers said he decided to run because of the state of the government: “I thought I put politics behind me. But like you, I know something’s broken.” Rogers also said his experience in the U.S. House would help him in the Senate: “No candidate is better prepared to have an impact on day one.” Former President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Rogers.

As of July 1, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated the general election Lean Democratic. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated the general election Tilt Democratic.