Justin Amash
Born 1980 · Age 45
American lawyer and politician. Served as U.S. Representative for Michigan's 3rd district (2011–2021). Started as a Republican, became independent (2019), joined the Libertarian Party (2020), and returned to the Republican Party (2024). First Republican congressman to call for Trump's impeachment; first Libertarian to serve in either house of Congress.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Born to Arab Christian immigrant parents (father Palestinian, mother Syrian).
Graduated Grand Rapids Christian High School (valedictorian)
Graduated as class valedictorian.
Earned BA in Economics from University of Michigan
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in economics with high honors.
Worked at Varnum LLP as attorney
Spent less than a year working as a lawyer at Grand Rapids law firm Varnum LLP after law school.
Earned JD from University of Michigan Law School
Graduated with Juris Doctor; cites Prof. Richard Primus's Constitutional Law class as influential.
Consultant at Michigan Industrial Tools (family business)
Became a consultant to Michigan Industrial Tools Inc. (Tekton Inc.), a company founded and owned by his father; worked there about a year.
Ran for Michigan House of Representatives (72nd district)
Entered Republican primary for the term-limited seat; defeated four other primary candidates and won general election.
Sworn in to Michigan House of Representatives
Assumed office as state representative for Michigan's 72nd district (term: Jan 14, 2009 – Jan 1, 2011).
Named to Time's '40 Under 40 – Rising Stars of U.S. Politics'
Recognized by Time magazine during the 2010 campaign shortly before the general election.
Primary endorsements and support for 2010 campaign
Endorsed and supported by Betsy and Dick DeVos family, Club for Growth, Rep. Ron Paul, and FreedomWorks PAC during the Republican primary.
Announced run for U.S. House (Michigan's 3rd)
Announced Republican primary campaign for Michigan's 3rd congressional district.
Incumbent Vern Ehlers announced retirement
One day after Amash announced his campaign, Vern Ehlers announced he would not seek reelection — contextual milestone for Amash's run.
Voted against scheduling benzylpiperazine as Schedule I in Michigan
Only member of the Michigan House to vote against making benzylpiperazine a schedule I drug; argued penalties for nonviolent crimes shouldn't be increased.
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives (MI-3)
Defeated Democratic nominee Patrick Miles Jr. in the general election and won the seat.
Introduced H.J. Res. 81 (balanced budget amendment proposal)
Proposed a Constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget over the business cycle with a ten-year transition.
High attendance/long voting streak begins in U.S. House
Established a long consecutive roll-call voting streak as an active House member (later became notable when it ended in 2017).
Second Amendment Caucus and Liberty Caucus involvement
Listed as a founding member of the Second Amendment Caucus and founder/chairman of the Liberty Caucus (exact founding dates vary by caucus).
High transparency and constituent engagement practices
Adopted early and extensive use of social media and public explanations of votes; launched government transparency page for staff and salaries while in state legislature and continued in Congress.
Assumed office as U.S. Representative for Michigan's 3rd district
Began first term in the U.S. House of Representatives (served 2011–2021). He became the second Palestinian American and Syrian American member of Congress.
Published net worth disclosure (Ballotpedia)
Ballotpedia recorded an estimated net worth of Justin Amash in 2012.
Re-elected to U.S. House (2012)
Won reelection to represent Michigan's 3rd congressional district (automatic as incumbent; part of standard re-election cycle).
Removed from House Budget Committee
House Republican Steering Committee removed Amash from the House Budget Committee as part of a leadership-caucus shift.
Called for DNI James Clapper's resignation
Publicly called for the resignation of Director of National Intelligence James Clapper following testimony concerning NSA data collection.
One of two Republicans voting to close Guantanamo Bay (2013 amendment)
Voted in favor of an amendment to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer detainees (amendment failed).
Re-elected to U.S. House (2014)
Won general election after defeating Brian Ellis in the Republican primary.
High-profile 2014 Republican primary vs. Brian Ellis (Club for Growth backing)
Club for Growth spent over $500,000 supporting Amash in the primary; Ellis self-funded >$1M. Amash defeated Ellis in the August primary with 57% to 43%.
Signed letter with Rep. John Lewis opposing USA Freedom Act (Senate)
Joined John Lewis in a letter urging senators to oppose mass surveillance expansion (demonstrates cross-party civil liberties work).
Founding member of the House Freedom Caucus
Listed as a founding member (group of conservative Republican House members formed in Jan 2015).
Endorsed Senator Rand Paul for President (later endorsed Ted Cruz)
Endorsed Rand Paul in 2015 for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination; after Paul's exit, endorsed Senator Ted Cruz.
Voting streak ended (reported)
Had held a record-long active voting streak that ended in 2017 at 4,293 consecutive votes when he missed a vote.
Voted for American Health Care Act (AHCA)
Voted in favor of the revised GOP healthcare repeal bill in the House (May 4, 2017).
Mueller Report released (contextual milestone)
Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report released (April 18, 2019) — prompted Amash's public statements about impeachment.
First Republican congressman to call for Trump's impeachment (based on Mueller report)
After reading the Mueller report, Amash publicly stated that President Trump had engaged in impeachable conduct; received national attention as the first Republican to do so.
Resigned from House Freedom Caucus
Left the House Freedom Caucus (resignation dated June 10, 2019).
Left Republican Party; became an independent (op-ed)
Published an op-ed (July 4, 2019) announcing his resignation from the Republican Party and declaring himself an independent.
Formally resigned from Republican conference and committees
Submitted resignation from the Republican Party to leadership and resigned his House Oversight and Reform Committee seat; became the only independent in the House.
Voted 'Yea' on both articles of impeachment of Donald J. Trump
As an independent member of the House, Amash voted in favor of both articles of impeachment (Article 1: 230–197; Article 2: 229–198).
Formed exploratory committee for Libertarian presidential nomination
Announced the formation of an exploratory committee to seek the Libertarian Party's 2020 presidential nomination (April 28, 2020).
Withdrew from Libertarian presidential consideration
Announced on May 16, 2020 that he would not pursue the Libertarian Party presidential nomination, citing polarization and COVID-19 campaign difficulties.
Cosponsored Ending Qualified Immunity Act
In June 2020 Amash co-introduced the Ending Qualified Immunity Act to remove qualified immunity protections for officials; notable legislative action post-party switch.
Voted against H.R. 51 (D.C. statehood)
On June 26, 2020 Amash voted against the D.C. Statehood bill (H.R. 51).
Announced he would not run for reelection to Congress
In July 2020 Amash announced he would not seek reelection to the U.S. House in 2020.
Introduced Civil Asset Forfeiture Elimination Act
In December 2020 Amash introduced legislation to abolish civil asset forfeiture nationwide.
Estimated net worth after leaving Congress
Rough estimate of personal net worth after 10 years in Congress and continued professional activity (estimate based on prior disclosures and typical congressional compensation/investment patterns).
Named Pritzker Fellow at University of Chicago (Spring 2021)
Served as a Pritzker Fellow and ran a seminar series 'Why I Am a Libertarian.'
Left Congress
Term ended on January 3, 2021; left House as the only sitting Libertarian member in either chamber.
Spoke at the Libertarian Party National Convention
Delivered remarks at the Libertarian Party National Convention (May 2022).
Offered himself as a candidate during House Speaker voting
Arrived at the U.S. Capitol and offered himself as a 'nonpartisan' candidate for Speaker during the 2023 Speaker voting; received no votes.
Estimated net worth circa 2024
Rough estimate of net worth during 2024 Senate campaign period (no public comprehensive update beyond earlier disclosures).
Returned to the Republican Party
Rejoined the Republican Party (noted in summaries of his later political activity in 2024).
Announced exploratory committee for 2024 U.S. Senate run (Michigan)
In January 2024 Amash announced an exploratory committee to consider running in the 2024 U.S. Senate election in Michigan as a Republican.
Announced candidacy for U.S. Senate (Michigan)
Formally announced entry into the Republican primary for U.S. Senate on February 29, 2024.
Lost Republican U.S. Senate primary
Finished second in the Republican primary to former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers; received 15.7% of the vote.
Considering run for Libertarian National Committee Chair
Following the resignation of Angela McArdle as LNC Chair, Amash announced he was considering running for the vacant position.
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