WASHINGTON – Joel Langlois, a west Michigan businessman who owns the DeltaPlex Arena in Grand Rapids, announced Tuesday he's running as a Republican for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Justin Amash.

He enters a Republican race that already includes two state House members and Peter Meijer, whose family owns a grocery store chain by the same name. Last week, Amash quit the Republican Party and said he plans to run for reelection as an independent.

Prior to leaving the party, Amash, of Cascade Township, was the only Republican in Congress to call for President Donald Trump's impeachment, saying a special counsel's report outlined obstruction of justice allegations against the president.

The 58-year-old Langlois, whose arena has hosted events for Trump, specifically cited his early and continued support of Trump in his announcement. He also had an endorsement by Scott Hagerstrom, the Trump campaign's Michigan director in 2016.

"Our current congressman abandoned President Trump and abandoned the Republican Party," Langlois said. "We need a ... local congressman who will stand up for our conservative principles and have the president's back."

He also warned in his campaign announcement that Republicans must be careful not to replace "one 'Never-Trumper' with another." While no one was mentioned by name, it suggested that the GOP primary race could develop into a test on which congressional candidates are seen as the most loyal to the president.

Langlois joins a Republican field that already includes Meijer, state Reps. Jim Lower of Greenville and Lynn Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids, and former Sand Lake Village President Tom Norton. Several Democrats have entered the race as well in the Republican-leaning district.

Langlois lives in Grand Rapids and owns real estate and manufacturing companies.

Read more:

Justin Amash quits Republican Party, saying U.S. is in a 'partisan death spiral'

10 things about Justin Amash, the Michigan Republican who wants Trump impeached

Contact Todd Spangler:tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. Read more onMichigan politics and sign up for ourelections newsletter.