(CNN) – Michigan Rep. Peter Hoekstra is launching a bid for governor, the Republican congressman announced Monday morning on a local radio show.
Hoekstra, 55, is seeking to succeed current Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat who is barred from running again because of term limits.
Speaking on WJR-AM's Paul Smith Show, the seven-term representative said he will file former paperwork later Monday afternoon.
The state went heavily Democratic in the 2008 presidential election, though Granholm's popularity has taken a hit amid the faltering auto industry and a surging unemployment rate.
Speaking about a potential gubernatorial bid Friday, Hoekstra said he hopes the Democratic candidates, namely Lt. Gov. John Cherry, run on the same policies as Granholm.
"I hope that John Cherry and the Democrats run on Jennifer Granholm's record," Hoekstra said. "The slogan's very simple on the other side: if nothing changes, nothing changes."
Early polling shows Hoekstra towards the top of the Republican field. L. Brooks Patterson, a local county executive, is on top with 22 percent, and Hoekstra comes in second with 15 percent, according to a recent Inside Michigan Politics poll. The poll was conducted from March 4-10 with 600 registered voters in Michigan and had a sampling error of plus or minus 5.7 percentage points
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Democrats and their support of Unions have been a disaster for Michigan. Time for real change.
Obviously Michigan is a democratic state. Mr. Hoekstra must have not the memo.
This guy is a joke,he even looks like Cheney.Where are they building these robots?
He is right about one thing: if nothing changes( only tax cuts for the rich/ no abortions/no gay rights/continue with big oil as your energy plan/ health care that is for profit) nothing changes. Michigan you are too smart to allow this guy to represent you. Go with a Democrat they have shown they are for the people.
Hey everyone, Look!
He is making the new secret hand sign of the GOP with his right hand.
The party of ZERO ideas and ZERO credibility!
So Obama now wants to run America's businesses. I see the market loves this by tanking another 200+, which will create more crisis and "need for government intervention". Meanwhile we are getting hosed and the country slips further into socialism.
America needs good people to stand up to Obama and the radical Dems quickly before they further destroy the country.
I think that the Republicans should draft Rick Wagner as their nominee for Gov of Michigan...........This is a Republican with lots of EXECUTIVE EXPERIECE(as Palin had), and a significant background as to what Not to do. He also is great a health care and union issues.
Good luck to any Republican who thinks that they could win Michigan. Especially with Republicans lack of solutions with the auto industry and their hatred of unions.
Careful now. Obama's already started firing CEO's in Michigan. Before too long he's gonna get even hungrier for power and start firing government officials whom he feels 'aren't helping him'.
Looks like the line between president and dictator is starting to be come a little fuzzier.
Republican will Never win in Michigan!!! Not unless he backs 1 payer national health care, jobs that stay in America and free excellent public education!!! (wind and solar over big oil)!
And the Republicans are experts on "when nothing changes nothing changes"! I wonder if this idiot actually believes he can win based on the record of the Republican party! Like Spongebob Squarepants says........Well..................Good luck with that!
As screwed up as Michigan is as a result of Democratic mismanagement, I think this could be an easy pick up for the GOP.
With the long line of crooks emerging from the Democratic party, I think he has a good chance. Do you ever notice who ever is in power, their criminal side starts coming out? I am still waiting for Pelosi to talk about the democrats culture of coruption. Good luck with that.
Thank God for term limits.
he will have to explain why he voted against the stimulus package in order to put so many michigans on the street.
Please NO MORE RETHUGLICANS! Haven't you guys ruined our country enough???
Why wouldn't he run? His vote in the House is impotent.
i guess Hoeskstra will run on the republican slogan of "Even if things change, don't change, never, nope".
Always voted Democrat here in Michigan but will vote Republican next time. The Democrats are all for spending money that we don't have.
i think your dreaming my friend. that is democratic state and that will never change at this time
You are so right--–nothing changes if nothing changes....
And if the GOP wins, nothing changes, either. Don't understand why the GOP hasn't learned their lesson yet. You don't run a campaign on what the other guy has or hasn't done, you run a campaign on what YOU intend to do and why that is good. Of course, you have to actually have a message other than the typical GOP talking points.
As a moderate, I tend to vote across ticket lines all the time, but for the last 10-15 years, hardly ever on the GOP side. All they seem to run on is tearing down the other candidates. Elizabeth Dole's campaign last fall was a perfect example. She took a major hit for running on her opponents' lack of Christian faith. Duh. It was obviously the wrong move, even members of her campaign committee were opposed, but she did it anyway, and lost big time. It is perhaps what set apart President Obama's campaign the most. No negative hits on the opponents, a positive attitude, and a desire to bring together people of all religions, ethnicity, and political leanings.
It worked, GOP, in case you haven't noticed.
Hoekstra is a vast improvement over the incompetent Granholm.
term limits for ALL government officials! Vote out Sen. Byrd!
It will be interesting to see if the anti-union GOP will be able to attract the Michigan voters to Hoekstra.
but with him it will find a new low
Wow,he looks like a Cheney clone.Where are they building theses guys?
Michigan tends to vote democrat in federal elections, but local and state elections leans towards Republican. We had 12-years of a Republican Governor and then 8 awful years with Granholm. All I can say is thank God for term limits...buh-bye Jenny!
always great to see the libs complain about the past 8 years of bush and then blame bush for the actions of their stupid dem leaders. you guys are pathetic.
the arrogance of the dems with show in 2010 and 2012, when fair and normal people start to vote these bums out.
susie – you may be right about Democrats spending money we don't have. However, the Republicans did the same thing. Take for instance the war in Iraq. How much do you think that cost? And how much do you think Cheney and his buddies made off it? It does work both ways. All we've seen from the Republican side is give the rich more money in tax breaks, and it will trickle down. I, for one, am sick of being trickled down on.
Granholm is the WORST governor of all time.
A canadian socialist who chased business out of Michigan.
Absolute worst.
Republican in the wrong state!
March 30th, 2009 9:44 am ET
Democrats and their support of Unions have been a disaster for Michigan. Time for real change.
Kevin in Ohio
=================================================
Let me get this straight. It wasn't the fact that the car companies made cars that nobody wanted to buy, made way too many cars to begin with, opened more dealerships than they could afford to supply, or generally operated with an attitude that they could dictate the market, not the other way around. It was the UNIONS that caused this collapse! Of course, the unions that brought us things like a 40-hour work week, safe workplaces, minimum wages and the ability to strike. Get off it. The average executive makes 300 times what the average union worker makes, and since then the unions have repeatedly cut pay and hours to try to keep these companies afloat.
Maybe if they sold the 45+mpg cars here that they sell in Europe, they wouldn't be in this mess to begin with. But no, they want to sell Hummers and V8 pickup trucks and 8-seater SUVs to suburban moms who never go off-road but want to feel big in their big shiny SUV. Get it through your head: bad business planning and a horrible business model doomed the car companies, not the union worker.
The GOP choose not to support the President, most of them wants him to fail and and now they are looking for our support its gonna tell at these election because I know the American people are not sleeping.
Wow, that coming from a republican...
michigan is a disaster, lead my a gov , who has turn a proud state to a welfare state,,,
Will Hoekstra stop Bloomberg and the MTA from increasing fares in the folks !!!!!
this cheney clone said: "I hope that John Cherry and the Democrats run on Jennifer Granholm's record," Hoekstra said. "The slogan's very simple on the other side: if nothing changes, nothing changes."
well cloney, big surprise for you, just run on the repugnants last 8 years record and you will see that the voters in michigan will send you to a retiring home sooner that you'd want to.....
How did he vote on the stimilus package? Republican in Congress? Must have voted wrong only three were right and they are in the senate.
Party loyaty..check
What is best for citizens...not so much
I hope he will suffer at the ballot box accordingly.
A rabid lemur could do as good a job as Granholm did so if she is the measuring stick by which all candidates will be evaluated, I'd say Hoekstra is a shoo-in.
to "bs" - no this guy can't stop Bloomberg and the MTA from raising fares. FIrst – this guy is running for governor of Michigan, not New York. Second, MTA fares isn't even handled by the governor.
Look at the bright side, the Spartans will protect you for a minute that's for sure, LOL!! I'm telling you, the best thing that could have happen is the team playing in Detroit, it is a heck of a stimulis package...and is worth it, let's just say, LOL!!
It will be good for that state, it needs something. Because I can tell you that their peeps are cheering for it, and you know that's something big...
As for Hekstra, wow...he really wants to go to hell, huh? LOL!! I mean, Michigan is not in bad shape...(I wish I had a nickel every time I heard that...)
susie – you mean like bush did on a war that was started on a lie??
To Rep Hoestra, I hope you, or any of your party run on the republicans record. I think under the circumstances ya'll's record is by far and away the worst than any democrats. Just look at the mess your group's hatefulness, insensitivity, and greed have created for this country and the world. I, for one, will never forget it!
Who is this bum? Looks like the long lost brother of former leader of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev.
Yea, that is what people want/trust Republicans. Give them your trust again, WHOaaaaaaaAa
@Brian Crooks.I agree with your assessment,this is all about the anti union pro slavery scabs in southern states.
A benefit to him running for Govener of my State is that he is a supporter of the Michigan Fair Tax.
Brian Crooks.... well, all I know is I get a better car for fewer dollars when I shop for cars without the Union label.
Why? Why in this day and age, with Michigan in such a financial mess would anyone want to run for Governor?
I realize the people deserve leadership and the state desperately needs it right now, ut seriously? Why would anyone want o take it on?
Yeah, our problems in Michigan are all because of our governor. Now, if we had a Republican governor such as Sanford in South Carolina, or Schwartzeneger in California, then Michigan would be a paradise.
When we had a Republican governor he didn't do a thing to diversify Michigan's job base because the auto industry was doing fine selling SUVs. I'm sure the Dutchman that wants to be our next governor will suggest tax cutting our way into new jobs and prosperity.
Good Luck. Granny holmes has destroyed Michigan.
Granholm may be inept, but who wants a GOP hack retread instead?
@ Matthew, Detroit:
Seriously? Granholm has been the governor of Michigan since the 1970's? Because that's when the state began to slide downhill, in case you weren't paying attention. Michigan's ENTIRE business model has been based for nearly 100 years on the auto industry. in the 50's & 60's, when GM, Ford and Chrysler employed 250,000+ people in the state (and add to that another 1/2 million supporting and parts jobs), Michigan was the ENVY of the country. And oh look, NOW auto industry is burning to the ground because of pi$$-poor management and strategy, and you want to blame the governor of a state who has held office for a little over six years?
Get real, pal. If you want to blame anyone for Michigan's woes, look no further than the bathroom mirror: the typical Michigan car buyer, who chose huge, gas-guzzling monster trucks and atrocious engineering, who parroted "BUY UNION!" as if it were a mantra to ward of evil, instead of demanding well-built, intelligent automobiles for the Big Three. You enabled them, they destroyed themselves, and the state with them.