The Michigan Senate Race has piqued my interest:
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) is coming out in support of [Pete Hoekstra] the former House member tomorrow morning. Hoekstra could face a tough primary to take on Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) from charter school founder Clark Durant, who is announcing his bid tomorrow [Friday]. But Republicans have been lining up behind Hoekstra. Meanwhile, Michigan Democrats are launching a website targeting Hoekstra, called HoekstraHoax.com, highlighting GOP complaints about the long-time lawmaker.
I know absolutely nothing about local Michigan politics. However, I do know some about Clark Durant, and I like the guy:
During his four year tenure as Chairman of the Legal Services Corporation Board, Durant, a deficit hawk, never asked for an increase in tax payer funds for his agency budget, and he challenged Congress to focus funds on where they could help the most, in the neighborhood. One United States Senator said the day after Clark’s testimony, “you go back and tell Clark Durant to shut up and to spend the money like everybody else.” …and that was a Republican.Also during his tenure, Clark was invited to give a speech at a meeting of the past President of the American Bar Association (the professional association for attorneys). His speech emphasized that the greatest barrier to justice for the poor was the monopoly of the legal of profession — not exactly a popular position to take in that audience. The President of the ABA called for Clark’s resignation as Chairman of Legal Services. He was unsuccessful, and the resulting publicity highlighted the barriers to justice that face ordinary people. ….In 1991, Clark co-founded the Cornerstone Schools with Adam Cardinal Maida and other civic leaders. … In 1995, Clark was named a Michiganian of the Year by the Detroit News for his work in education.*
Though I’ve heard the name before, I don’t know much about (former Rep.) Pete Hoekstra. From the looks of it, he’s not a terrible politician. However, he’s spent nearly twenty years in Congress, so…. color me skeptical.
Anyway, I definitely have some big gaps to fill. Sound off on what I should know about this race or your impressions.
* – As an aside, Clark’s son also runs a blog I read from time to time.
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