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, May 13 2013 7:13 AM EDT2013-05-13 11:13:17 GMT
The undone stuff Gov. Snyder and Lt. Gov. Calley are still struggling to adopt is piling up like the garbage in your neighbor's backyard and it's beginning to stink.
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Tuesday, May 7 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-05-07 12:21:59 GMT
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has been the subject of this cross-examination for months as his Democratic Party continues its elongated and so far unsuccessful search for a candidate for governor.
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Tuesday, April 30 2013 10:02 PM EDT2013-05-01 02:02:40 GMT
The Snyder administration is concerned that Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's support for Emergency Manager Kevin Orr "may go south" as Bing gears up for a possible re-election campaign.
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Friday, May 24 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:34:36 GMT
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
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Friday, May 24 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:54:08 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
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Friday, May 24 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:06:29 GMT
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
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Friday, May 24 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:54:49 GMT
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Friday, May 24 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:31:37 GMT
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
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Friday, May 24 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:52:39 GMT
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
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Friday, May 24 2013 1:29 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:29:01 GMT
School officials say an earlier lockdown at three schools in Allen Park Friday has been lifted.
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Friday, May 24 2013 12:07 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:07:12 GMT
Officials say the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection could be sold to help satisfy creditors if the financially troubled city of Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection.
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Friday, May 24 2013 11:49 AM EDT2013-05-24 15:49:41 GMT
Investigators say the number of tips is dwindling in the kidnapping and slaying of a 5-year-old Michigan girl who disappeared four years ago and was found buried near a Michigan river.
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Pete Hoekstra with three of his former opponents (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
