MICHIGAN NEWS

The Detroit News

Last Updated: May 19. 2011 9:37AM

GOP struggles to find Senate challenger for Stabenow

Nathan Hurst/ Detroit News Washington Bureau

Washington— Fresh off sweeping November victories that landed the GOP a majority in the state Legislature, the governor's seat and other top state offices, Michigan Republicans quickly turned their sites on the next big catch: Debbie Stabenow's U.S. Senate seat.
But with the 2012 campaign clock ticking and many of its top-tier candidates bowing out of the race, the GOP's search to find somebody to take on the state's junior senator is still relatively wide open. Stabenow's flush campaign war chest, a lack of clarity over who will lead the GOP's presidential ticket, key members of the state's delegation ascending to plum committee seats in Washington they're loath to give up and questions over the party's handling of the search have all factored into the difficulty the GOP has in finding a candidate.
Though Democrats — particularly those in Stabenow's camp — are taking the GOP's lack of a well-known candidate as a sign she may have an easier go on election day next year than if a strong Republican challenger was already in the race, others point to some of the 2010's Senate races and say it's still early.
"Everybody wants everything wrapped up, and now," said John Truscott, a GOP strategist and principal of the Truscott Rossman firm. "I think we saw with the last cycle … there's still plenty of time."
For example, in Wisconsin, plastics manufacturing executive Ron Johnson made his political debut announcing a run against Democrat stalwart Sen. Russ Feingold with well under a year to go before the general election. Johnson won with a strong anti-establishment sentiment and heavy self-financing.
Republicans have circulated polls showing Stabenow is losing traction with voters and vulnerable to a host of big-name candidates. But one by one, they've all bowed out, including Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, who left the U.S. House after nine terms in a failed bid for Michigan governor, and Terri Lynn Land, the popular ex-secretary of state.
Hoekstra and Land were among the first to decide not to run after a public kerfuffle involving Bobby Schostak, the new state party chairman. While the two were mulling campaigns, Schostak told The News a candidate who was "head and shoulders" above the field would emerge. That comment left many GOP insiders fuming.
When Land said earlier this month she wasn't running, she said she didn't feel the state or national party were committed. "There just hasn't been anything developed to put together a team for this race," she said.
Stabenow filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission showing she has $3 million on hand as of the first quarter of this year. The two-term senator continues to raise money while pushing issues on Capitol Hill that her campaign staff hopes will resonate with Michigan voters: fair trade with China and job creation among them.
Others opt out
Others mentioned as possible candidates but who opted not to run or never seriously considered the possibility include former Gov. John Engler — who stoked interest when he bought a home in mid-Michigan — Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Livonia, and businessman Tim Leuliette, who expressed interest last August.
Meanwhile, four of the state's top Republicans in the U.S. House — Reps. Mike Rogers of Brighton, Fred Upton of St. Joseph, Dave Camp of Midland and Candice Miller of Harrison Township — were all appointed to chairman positions on influential committees and subcommittees when the GOP took control of the U.S. House in January, leaving little incentive to leave the powerful posts.
The most recognizable name still in the running is Rob Steele, the Ann Arbor cardiologist who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, for Michigan's 15th District U.S. House seat last year, and kept the race close until the final weeks.
Steele has been criss-crossing the state to build a grassroots network, but his self-imposed deadline for a decision is still months off: "prior to the fall Michigan Republican Mackinac Conference" in September, he has said.
Privately, GOP leaders are talking with a number of potential candidates, including Oakland County District Judge Kimberly Small and Oakland County Drain Commissioner John McCulloch. Ex-Kent County Probate Judge Randy Hekman and party activist and businessman Peter Konetchy are in, though neither has statewide name recognition or a solid fundraising base, nor do Small or McCulloch.
The deadline to file for next year's August primary is July 9, 2012.
Anuzis still looking
One potential candidate who can raise lots of money is former state GOP chair Saul Anuzis. He's still looking at a possible bid.
One of his top supporters, Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner and party activist Dennis Lennox, said he's disappointed many of the "tier-one candidates" like Hoekstra, Land, McCotter and Engler have stepped aside. But he doesn't think it's too late for a strong candidate to come forward.
"This isn't unprecedented," he said, noting the Feingold defeat. "But the cycle is moving somewhat quickly."
Jennifer Duffy, who analyzes and handicaps Senate races across the country for The Cook Political Report in Washington, said: "It's not necessarily too late for a Republican to jump in, but with Stabenow well ahead with fundraising, there's a lot of pressure there, real or perceived."
Duffy says there's another factor: who the GOP will put up against President Barack Obama. Whoever captures the GOP nomination could have a significant coattail effect on other races.
One name that particularly excites Michigan GOP insiders is ex-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, son of Michigan's late Gov. George Romney. Even without Romney solidly at the top of the ticket, though, Truscott and others said solid candidates will start to emerge by the fall, at the latest.
In any case, Truscott said there can be good strategy in waiting: "Once you dip your toe in the water, you've got a target on your head."
nhurst@detnews.com
(202) 662-8738

MDP Unveils New Website

Has New Features, More Interactivity

LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party today unveiled its new website with a new design and new features.
“We’re really excited about this new website,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “It’s easy to use and is much more interactive by allowing users to provide feedback on press releases, blogs, videos, and more.”
“The design allows users to find what they’re looking for much easier and faster,” continued Brewer. “It will be a great tool for our local Parties to use, our elected leaders, and anyone who is interested in what’s happening at the Michigan Democratic Party.”
The site will also feature guest bloggers, the first of whom is Jocelyn Benson.
Click the link below to check it out.
www.michigandems.com  ###


 
 
 
Ogemaw County Democratic Party
WEST BRANCH, MICHIGAN
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)