Meijer, 35, lost his West Michigan seat last year to a Trump-backed challenger in 2022. He was one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump over his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection in 2021. Meijer has said he has no regrets over his vote.

The former congressman’s impeachment vote could help him attract support from moderate or independent voters in the state. And as the grandson of the man who started the Midwestern Meijer grocery dynasty, he has ample ability to self-fund and allies who could create a super PAC to aid him.

Meijer joins a GOP primary field with two major candidates, former Rep. Mike Rogers and former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, already in the race. More Republicans could decide to run. The incumbent Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) is retiring.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and actor Hill Harper are also in the race for the Democratic nomination for the seat.

Meijer is a former sergeant in the Army Reserve who served in Iraq and made reforming war powers and veterans issues his top legislative priorities when he was elected in 2020. Four of his bills were signed into law, including establishing a Department of Homeland Security trade and economic security council.