(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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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
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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?