Pete Hoekstra with three of his former opponents (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
LANSING, Mich. (WJBK) -
On the campaign trail, the trio of Republicans battled each other tooth and nail, but that was then and now is now. There was a strong show of unity Wednesday as Pete Hoekstra's opponents, one by one, shook hands with the winner, pledging to work with him for the next 90 days.
Hoekstra even got a hug from his staunchest opponent Clark Durant as all of them are united trying to unseat the Democratic incumbent, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. She's got a lot of cash, strong name identification and is favored at this early read to win.
Hoekstra's assignment now is to broaden his base of support from just Republicans to include independents and even some conservative Democrats if he wants another victory party in November.
Former GOP Senate candidate Gary Glenn claims that Hoekstra on the marriage issue and other issues is in step with mainstream union voters.
"He's going to do very well. Let them come. If the union vote shows up, let them come. On things like what the definition of marriage is, Pete Hoekstra will beat Debbie Stabenow like a drum."
Hoekstra wants to talk about jobs and wants to link Stabenow to the president. He did not want to talk about eliminating federal aid for Planned Parenthood.
"We're not going to get into those specifics at this point in time," he said.
The state Democratic Party chair was content to eat the Republican bagels, but he was not buying Hoekstra's evasive answer.
"It's no surprise that he would equivocate an issue like that because his Republican base would not be happy if he says, yes, I support Planned Parenthood," Mark Brewer said.
So the race is on. Can Hoekstra win? Of course. Will he? Quite another question.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:25 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:25:47 GMT
Since the Tea Party is such an amorphous group with no political center of gravity, it's hard to get your arms around how much support Gov. Rick Snyder had the first time he ran.
Since the Tea Party is such an amorphous group with no political center of gravity, it's hard to get your arms around how much support Gov. Rick Snyder had the first time he ran.
Thursday, June 13 2013 10:35 PM EDT2013-06-14 02:35:56 GMT
The Republican-led Michigan House late Thursday voted to make hundreds of thousands of more low-income adults eligible for Medicaid.
The Republican-led Michigan House late Thursday voted to make hundreds of thousands of more low-income adults eligible for Medicaid, sending the legislation across the Capitol to a chamber where its future may be less uncertain.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:15:19 GMT
Michigan's attorney general says the collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts is not vulnerable to being sold to pay off any of the city's debt during a municipal bankruptcy.
Michigan's attorney general says the collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts is not vulnerable to being sold to pay off any of the city's debt during a municipal bankruptcy.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 8:27 AM EDT2013-06-11 12:27:49 GMT
One can only wonder what might have happened had all these White House messes unfolded as Mitt Romney and Barack Obama dashed for the finish line last November.
One can only wonder what might have happened had all these White House messes unfolded as Mitt Romney and Barack Obama dashed for the finish line last November.
Monday, June 10 2013 8:07 AM EDT2013-06-10 12:07:34 GMT
For obvious reasons nobody in the capitol press corps would ever admit this publicly. But if you applied a little truth serum, some would begrudgingly concede that Gov. Rick Snyder is a master at staying on message.
For obvious reasons nobody in the capitol press corps would ever admit this publicly. But if you applied a little truth serum, some would begrudgingly concede that Gov. Rick Snyder is a master at staying on message.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:41:47 GMT
FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
For at least the third time in a decade, FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:32 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:32:27 GMT
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
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Pete Hoekstra with three of his former opponents (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
