Monday, February 7, 2011

Hoekstra: The Man to Beat in the 2012 Senate Race?

From Strategic National: If the 2012 Republican primary for Senate were held today would you support former Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis, former Congressman Pete Hoekstra, former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, businessman Tim Leuliette, or are you undecided?
Hoekstra        32.92%
Land              14.79%
Anuzis             1.04%
Leuliette         1.04%
Undecided     50.21%

The respected former Congressman, Pete Hoekstra seems to run the table in a Republican primary. Question is: after 18 years in the House, does he really want to go back to Washington?

Terri Lynn Land, although she comes in a distant second, could match up better against Stabenow in the general. She has statewide name ID and has been on the ballot twice.

Former GOP state party chair, Saul Anuzis has a disappointing showing, but is not someone voters might have thought of this early. You can't overlook his work ethic and connections.

And then there is Tim Leuliette, the former CEO of Dura Automotive. Will he be the next wealthy non-politician to run for statewide office? After what Rick Snyder accomplished in 2010, how could you count him out?

Regardless of who gets the nomination, Stabenow is vulnerable. According to Public Policy Polling, and as reported in "Roll Call", the sitting senator is not nearly as popular as she was six years ago. She leads Hoekstra and Land by only a few points and is well below the magical 50% treshhold. Her unfavorables are as high as her favorables.

Looks like another thrill-packed election year is just around the corner. Now that the Super Bowl is over, its time to start evaluating the field, not just in the Major Leagues, but in realm of national politics as well.

2 comments:

Kay Edmonds said...

I would absolutely vote for Pete Hoestra with no questions asked.
I have admired his service as he served our State.

Anonymous said...

I don't see Randy Hekman, John Engler or Scotty Boman here. Did the polsters ask about them? Perhaps the large percent of undecide responses means "other."