Potential GOP contenders are waiting to see whether U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra will challenge U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow in 2012 before they plunge into the race themselves.
Republican sources told Gongwer News that Hoekstra is still talking to several people about a run to replace Stabenow, a Democrat who is considered vulnerable because she is polling at 45 percent
Because Hoekstra is considered a Republican favorite, other potential contenders – which may include former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land – are waiting to see what Hoekstra’s plans are before they dive in.
Indeed, this week, Land said she’d defer to Hoekstra, saying he would make a “great senator." Land said Stabenow’s seat was ripe for a Republican victory.
"As an incumbent, she's at 45 percent. That's not good,” she said. “The other thing is, the mood of the country has changed," she said. "They want somebody who's going to vote conservative, watch the constitution and make sure every vote is looked at and you're going to represent the state.”
Other potential candidates include U.S. Rep. Candice Miller and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.
