U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter announced on Thursday that he is pulling out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination to run for Congress. McCotter endorsed former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts for the Republican nomination.
McCotter was supposed to join the other Republican candidates at an event backed by the Faith and Freedom Coalition in Orlando on Thursday, but did not appear. Less than two hours later, he announced why.
Today, effective immediately, I have withdrawn my candidacy to become the Republican Partys nominee for the office of president of the United States of America, McCotter wrote in an email sent out to supporters late on Thursday. We cannot unite America if we divide the movement of principled conservatism. The time has come for the tea party and the Republican Party to come together to serve and save this great nation. Thus, upon having withdrawn my candidacy, I have endorsed Governor Mitt Romney to become our Republican Partys nominee. We must unite behind the candidate best capable of defeating Barack Obama on Nov. 6, 2012 -- Mitt Romney is that candidate.
The actions of the administration and the Democratic Senate show what America knows: We are being neither led nor governed, continued McCotter. Our struggle continues. The American people deserve leadership in Washington that understands Americas exceptionalism is not our burden but our birthright; and that Americas ultimate strength and salvation remains the unfathomable grace of God and virtuous genius of her free people. This is why I have decided to seek re-election to continue to serve as your United States representative for Michigans new 11th Congressional District, and I am committed to promoting and implementing a platform of principled conservatism.
First elected to Congress in 2002, McCotter was one of three House Republicans -- the other two being Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and Ron Paul of Texas -- looking to defy history and become the first sitting member of that body to be elected president since James Garfield won the 1880 presidential election.
Only 46, McCotter ranks as one of the most regular Twitter users in Congress and his team attempted to use new media to reach out to voters in the presidential election. McCotter attempted to lure younger voters by pushing himself as a member of Generation X and focusing on his musical abilities. A guitar player, McCotter plays lead for a band composed of congressmen called the Second Amendments.
A supporter of American military operations in Iraq, McCotter, a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, was very vocal in opposing TARP and other bank bailouts backed by then-President George W. Bush in 2008. McCotter served in the House Republican leadership, rising to become chairman of the Policy Committee, which he recommended abolishing to save money.
McCotter filed to run in early July but his campaign struggled. He barely registered in the polls and was left behind the field in the Iowa Republican straw poll in Ames back in August.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
