Getty Justin Amash on April 6, 2017 in Washington, DC.
Justin Amash was a Republican member of Congress who became Independent in July 2019. He represents the Grand Rapids area of Michigan. Amash has been in the media spotlight ever since he openly called for President Trump’s impeachment, and now he’s seriously considering running for President in 2020. Amash is now Independent.
In late April 2020, Amash announced that he was launching an exploratory committee to seek the Libertarian Party’s nomination for President. He wrote on Twitter: “Today, I launched an exploratory committee to seek the @LPNational’s nomination for president of the United States. Americans are ready for practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people. We’re ready for a presidency that will restore respect for our Constitution and bring people together. I’m excited and honored to be taking these first steps toward serving Americans of every background as president.”
Amash is the son of immigrants; his parents were Christian refugees from Palestine and Syria who settled in Michigan. Here’s what you need to know about Kara Amash, Justin’s wife:
1. She & Justin Were High School Sweethearts & They Did Miniature Golf on their First Date
FacebookKara Amash’s Facebook photo
Justin and Kara were classmates at Grand Rapids Christian High School. Justin was interested in Kara and, during his senior year, promised himself that he would ask her out that day if she walked past his locker. She did, and he invited her to go miniature golfing with him. They also had a bite to eat at TGI Friday’s. Kara says that she beat Justin at golf that day; she remembers the day as “the only time he ever let me win.”
The couple went to different colleges but stayed together. They got married five years later.
The photo above is one of the only public photos on Kara’s Facebook profile.
2. Kara & Justin Gave a Redwood Tree to Each of Their Wedding Guests
Getty
Justin and Kara are interested in helping the environment. Justin drives a hybrid SUV and willingly pays extra money to buy electricity generated by renewable resources. Justin also says he’s been fascinated by trees ever since he got a seedling on Earth Day when he was in the second grade. When he and Kara got married, they gave each of their wedding guests a dawn redwood tree. Leftovers were donated to a local sculpture park.
3. Kara Is a Former Elementary School Teacher
Kara graduated from Calvin College and worked as an elementary school teacher before her children were born. She and Justin first met when they were classmates at Grand Rapids Christian High School. They stayed together through college, with Justin driving home most weekends from Ann Arbor so that they could spend time together. They married five years after they first started dating.
4. Kara & Justin Have Three Children
Kara and Justin live in Cascade Charter Township. They have three children: Alexander, Anwen, and Evelyn.
5. She & Justin Are Members of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church
Amash was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He earned a degree in economics from the University of Michigan and then went on to earn a JD from the University of Michigan Law School. After graduation, he worked for his family’s business, as a business lawyer, and then served as a Michigan state representative. He was elected to the US Congress in 2011. Amash is a member of the St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church.
READ NEXT: Daily COVID-19 Updates