First GOP contender to Stabenow Steps Up: replay of past elections?

Kent County native and former Judge, Randy Hekman announced his his plan to run against Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow yesterday. Although the election is more than a year and a half away, Republican Hekman plans to visit to Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Detroit on Monday to promote his campaign. Hekman is a pastor at Crossroads Bible Church in Grand Rapids. He helped start and direct the conservative lobbyist non-profit Michigan Family Forum. In a written press release Hekman revealed his goals and his desire to "heal" the nation.

March 4, 2011 standardnewswire.com

Hekman's platform is built on four main planks: job creation, budget reform, entitlement reform and energy innovation.

"Each of these areas needs renewed focus, change, and growth. Most critically, however, is that we must drastically reduce the size of government now and together address the resulting human needs with significant growth in the non-profit sector. Unless we do so, the nation we love is heading to oblivion," said Hekman. "I believe I'm the person who can help bring healing to our hurting nation."

If Hekman wins the GOP nomination, he will face a tough fight against the well-funded and popular Stabenow.

But hasn't Michigan seen this before? For offices such as Governor and Senator the faces may change but the options remain the same. Not always (Gov. Synder and former Senator Spence Abraham are notable exceptions), but often, the Republican candidate is from West Michigan. The GOP candidate usually espouses conservative business ideals placed neatly besides moral beliefs based on religion.

The Democratic candidate is usually from lower or Southeast Michigan. The candidate is supported by labor unions, progressives and the working poor. It's been this way for a long time in Michigan.

The Democratic candidate for Senate usually wins because most of Michigan's population is in the Southeast, especially if the election coincides with a Presidential election. Republican candidates have a better chance at the Governor's office because the election does not coincide with Presidential elections. Michigan Democratic voters tend to not show up at the poll in as large as numbers during off year elections.

The winner of the 2012 Michigan Senate campaign will most likely be determined by two factors:

• Will the drastic cuts proposed by the tea-party and Republicans sour voters who might begin to wonder  why there are tax breaks for the rich but no local fire and/or police department? 
• Will 2012 voter turnout for Obama be the same as 2008? If so Hekman, or whomever the GOP candidate is, may have no chance at all.

Either way, this election will be a re-run. In this Coke or Pepsi American reality, where is the RC cola?