LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The landscape for Michigan’s upcoming U.S. Senate race crystallized further with the passing of the filing deadline on Tuesday. Several candidates made their decisions known, while others redirected their campaigns elsewhere.

Who dropped out along the way?

Nikki Snyder, a member of the State Board of Education from Dexter and previously a Republican contender for Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow’s seat, opted instead to enter the crowded race in the 8th Congressional District. Meanwhile, J.D. Wilson, a businessman from Houghton Lake, shifted his focus to challenge sitting Congressman Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet) in the Republican primary, withdrawing from the Senate race.

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Recent withdrawals helped to narrow the candidate pool, a process that began months ago with Congressman Dan Kildee’s decision not to seek reelection. State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh stepped in as a Democratic candidate for his seat while former Detroit Police Chief James Craig exited the race and threw his support behind Mike Rogers.

Democrat candidates.

Despite these shifts, a substantial number of contenders remain in the running to succeed Stabenow. On the Democratic side, U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin stands as the presumed frontrunner, joined by actor Hill Harper from Detroit and businessman Nasser Beydoun from Dearborn.

Republican candidates.

Among the Republican contenders are former U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers, former Reps. Justin Amash, and Peter Meijer, along with entrepreneur Sandy Pensler and Dr. Sherry O’Donnell.

Petition signatures need to be checked.

The field remains subject to further adjustments, however, as the State Elections Division will review petition signatures and nominations for compliance, with any challenges to candidates’ filings to be addressed in the weeks ahead.