Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Republican Mike Rogers have prevailed in their parties' primaries for an open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.

Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Republican Mike Rogers have prevailed in their parties' primaries for an open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.

While Michigan remains one of the crown jewels of the fall presidential campaign, the focus now turns to state primaries that may play a major role in deciding control of the narrowly divided U.S. Senate, U.S. House and state legislature.

Detroit-area businessman Sandy Pensler has announced his withdrawal from the Republican Senate race in Michigan just ahead of the state's primary.

The retirement of Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow has opened a Senate seat in Michigan.

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Former President George W.

The other six members are Republicans and include four from the so-called Kraken Caucus and the state’s two freshmen members. Newly sworn in Michigan Republican congressman Peter Meijer’s office was reached, but did not have an official comment on what he would do Wednesday. The vote to object is expected to ultimately fail to overturn the election results, with or without an emergency audit. Currently, the objectors do not have the votes to reject an electoral college vote from any state. Objectors have also been explicit about asking for an audit, which already takes place in the State of Michigan.

Under election law the House would intervene if the Electoral College gave no presidential candidate the majority Jan. 6. “There ain't no light at the end of the tunnel in the House of Representatives,” Pelosi said at a recent press conference. The president can be selected by a House majority — 26 states — if the Electoral College deadlocks or is unable to agree on the winner. Another is Montana, where Democratic state Rep. Kathleen Williams and Republican state Auditor Matt Rosendale are vying for the state's lone at-large seat. Veteran GOP election lawyer Ben Ginsberg said there’s a long ways to go from election day Nov. 3 and a potential House vote on Jan. 6.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – In close elections, it doesn't take much for third-party candidates to play an outsize role — as Democrats learned the hard way in 2016. A vital third-party candidate would likely help him tremendously.”But third-party candidates are facing hurdles that didn't exist four years ago, potentially weakening their impact. In a court decision last week, the Green Party candidate was barred from appearing on Pennsylvania’s ballot. “I saw last time, there’s no hope in a third-party candidate in this basically two-party system that we have. But the president’s team, which has denied playing a role in West’s bid, has done little game-planning for a third-party candidate.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – An Iraq War veteran whose family started the Meijer chain of stores has won the Republican primary for the 3rd Congressional District in western Michigan. Peter Meijer, of Grand Rapids, topped the five-person field in Tuesday’s election. Scholten, a lawyer who worked in the Justice Department during the Obama presidency, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The district includes much of Kent County, a sliver of Montcalm County and all of Calhoun, Barry and Ionia counties. While it has long been held by Republicans — Amash often won by double digits — Democrats see an opportunity and plan to target it this fall.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In a letter to congressional colleagues, Libertarian Rep. Justin Amash (MI-3) said he'll be introducing a bill to do away with the law that protects police officers from being sued while doing their jobs. Henning teaches criminal law and professional responsibility at Wayne State University. “Immunity has been part of the system since the mid-1960s,” he said. “We're going to see that police officer, being charged with a crime,” Henning said. The answer to that question may well be yes.”Amash’s, a former Republican, bill already has support from some of the most liberal members of the House of Representatives, including Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-7) and Michigan delegation colleague Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – What started as a peaceful protest Saturday in Grand Rapids has delved into a riot, into the early morning hours of Sunday. Heavy damage was reported throughout Downtown Grand Rapids. West Michigan Congressman Justin Amash said, “Let’s not conflate the protesters in Grand Rapids with the rioters in Grand Rapids. This is video of 5 cars on fire in downtown Grand Rapids right now. pic.twitter.com/oxqsGQClvL — alexaskonieski (@AlexaSkonieski) May 31, 2020Downtown Grand Rapids: police cars on fire, smashed-in windows of businesses that have been looted.

There are people who support the president, who believe things he says, but its pretty clear hes not bringing home the troops. "Hes moving troops back into Iraq, he's moving other troops into Saudi Arabia and using our forces almost as mercenaries, paid mercenaries who are going to come in, as long as Saudi Arabia pays us some money, it's good to go," he added. Amash's comments come after Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters the troops departing northern Syria would head to Iraq to help fight against ISIS and as Trump tweeted that he was "bringing soldiers home." Other U.S. troops are heading to Saudi Arabia, Trump said last week, to help defend the country after a September attack on an oil facility. Earlier this month, the White House announced that it would move forces from the "immediate area" as Turkey began a "long-planned operation into Northern Syria."

“There are people who support the president, who believe things he says, but it’s pretty clear he’s not bringing home the troops. "He’s moving troops back into Iraq, he's moving other troops into Saudi Arabia and using our forces almost as mercenaries, paid mercenaries who are going to come in, as long as Saudi Arabia pays us some money, it's good to go," he added. Other U.S. troops are heading to Saudi Arabia, Trump said last week, to help defend the country after a September attack on an oil facility. Turkey began a military operation in northern Syria days after the announcement, clashing with Kurdish fighters in the region before a brief pause was announced. Earlier this month, the White House announced that it would move forces from the "immediate area" as Turkey began a "long-planned operation into Northern Syria."

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan alleges a Republican candidate for Congress has discriminated against a troupe of drag performers with Down syndrome. The civil rights group filed a complaint Thursday with the Michigan Civil Rights Department against Peter Meijer, one of several GOP candidates running to replace the newly declared independent Rep. Justin Amash. Meijer denied access to the U.K.-based Drag Syndrome for a performance in a Grand Rapids building he owns. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

(CNN) - Tuesday's vote on the House Democratic effort to condemn President Donald Trump's use of racist language ended up falling along party lines, with 240 Democrats in favor and 187 Republicans opposed. Four Republicans, however, refused to join their colleagues and decided to condemn their party's President, calling Trump's racist attacks unacceptable. Rep. Will Hurd (TX-23)In an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour Monday, Hurd, the sole black Republican House member, deemed Trump's tweets "racist." Rep. Susan Brooks (IN-05)Brooks, who is retiring from Congress at the end of her term, tweeted Tuesday she voted to condemn Trump's "racially offensive remarks" because they "do not reflect American values." Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01)Speaking with a Pennsylvania talk radio station ahead of Tuesday's vote, Fitzpatrick said he took issue with Trump's tone.

And I think that's a problem for our country, it's a problem for the Republican Party, it's a problem for the Democratic Party when people aren't allowed to speak out." Amash, who announced Thursday he was leaving the GOP, said that he has had problems with the Republican Party "for several years,"and that he would leave even if Trump were not president. CNN's interview with Amash comes days after he announced in a Washington Post op-ed, "Today, I am declaring my independence and leaving the Republican Party." And I think that's very dangerous for our country and I don't think a lot of people appreciate it," he said. Amash responded, saying, "That's not how people are supposed to talk about each other, to each other."

View of Detroit from the Windsor sky camera on July 4, 2019 at 8:21 p.m. (WDIV)4-year-old Warren boy killed in 2-car crash at Roseville intersection, police sayPolice said there are contradictory accounts about who was at fault for a two-car crash that killed a 4-year-old boy at a Roseville intersection. The crash happened around 11 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Little Mack Avenue and Masonic Road, officials said. 4-year-old Warren boy killed in 2-car crash at Roseville intersection, police sayWATCH Local 4 News at 114 fast factsThursday evening remains hazy, hot and humid with scattered showers and thunderstorms. READ MOREI-75 updateWhat was once introduced as a 15-year project was condensed into two years, and drivers are feeling headaches. Tweets by Local4NewsCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

DETROIT - Here's what is coming up on Local 4 News at 5:Child killedA 4-year-old boy was killed in a crash overnight in Roseville. No air conditioningA senior highrise with a big problem exposed yesterday by Help Me Hank. Justin Amash leaves GOPHe said he's using this Independence Day to declare his independence. Tuskegee AirmanWe celebrate our independence and pay tribute to the men and women who served our country. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Around the country:Ohio: A federal judge has temporarily blocked Ohio's "heartbeat" bill banning abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy from going into effect. A federal judge has temporarily blocked Ohio's "heartbeat" bill banning abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy from going into effect. Chicago: Seven people are facing charges after the famous "Bean" sculpture in Chicago's Millennium Park was vandalized earlier this week. Seven people are facing charges after the famous "Bean" sculpture in Chicago's Millennium Park was vandalized earlier this week. More ENTERTAINMENT headlines:Tweets by Local4NewsCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Multiple Michigan beaches closed due to high bacteria levelsAs temperatures approach 90 degrees, many are turning to Michigan's beaches to cool off. Unfortunately, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality reports 10 beaches in Michigan are currently closed due to high bacteria levels during the Independence Day week. Undercover MSP car involved in multicar crash in DetroitAn undercover Michigan State Police trooper was rushed to a hospital after being involved in a three-car crash. Neighbors rush to help rescue family from fire that killed Sterling Heights womanWhen a fire ripped through a Sterling Heights home Wednesday morning, neighbors rushed to try to help. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Olivier Douliery - Pool/Getty ImagesPresident Trump is calling Rep. Justin Amash a "total loser" after the Michigan congressman announced he is leaving the Republican party in a move against partisan politics. "Great news for the Republican Party as one of the dumbest & most disloyal men in Congress is quitting the Party. Amash wrote he is leaving the Republican Party because he has "become disenchanted with party politics and frightened" by it. "The two-party system has evolved into an existential threat to American principles and institutions," he wrote. Im asking you to believe that we can do better than this two-party system and to work toward it.

Rep. Justin Amash, who represents Michigans 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House, wrote in a Washington Post op-ed Thursday morning that he is leaving the Republican Party. NEW: Trump calls Amash 'dumbest and most disloyal' in CongressIn the piece, Amash rails against what he calls "partisan loyalties and rhetoric that divide and dehumanize us." The Republican Party, I believed, stood for limited government, economic freedom and individual liberty principles that had made the American Dream possible for my family. Today, I am declaring my independence and leaving the Republican Party. Im asking you to believe that we can do better than this two-party system and to work toward it.

Multiple Michigan beaches closed due to high bacteria levelsAs temperatures approach 90 degrees, many are turning to Michigan's beaches to cool off. Unfortunately, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality reports 10 beaches in Michigan are currently closed due to high bacteria levels during the Independence Day week. Undercover MSP car involved in multicar crash in DetroitAn undercover Michigan State Police trooper was rushed to a hospital after being involved in a three-car crash. Neighbors rush to help rescue family from fire that killed Sterling Heights womanWhen a fire ripped through a Sterling Heights home Wednesday morning, neighbors rushed to try to help. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

(mudgposter/StormPins)DETROIT - ClickOnDetroit Morning Briefing -- July 4, 2019Rep. Justin Amash, who represents Michigans 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House, wrote in a Washington Post op-ed Thursday morning that he is leaving the Republican party. Here's a list of stores and restaurants that are open or closed on this 4th of July holiday. More local headlines:For more Local News head to ClickOnDetroit.com/news/local. Submit a news tipTell us what's happening in your community -- submit a news tip to Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit right here. Tweets by Local4NewsCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

(CNN) - The House Oversight Committee voted on Wednesday to subpoena testimony from White House counselor Kellyanne Conway after a federal agency recommended that she should be fired for repeatedly violating a law that limits the political activities of federal employees. Chairman Elijah Cummings, Democrat of Maryland, has warned that his panel would vote to hold Conway in contempt if she ignores the subpoena. Conway did not appear on Wednesday on the advice of White House counsel for the committee's scheduled hearing. Trump has said that he's not going to fire Conway over the alleged Hatch Act violations and White House counsel Pat Cipollone said in a letter Monday that Conway does not need to testify before Congress. In 2018, the OSC said Conway violated the law during the 2017 Alabama special election for Senate.