Hoekstra will make decision on governor run by end of year

Thu, Dec 4, 2008    to del.icio.us

Although some reports have U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, skipping a congressional re-election run in favor of a 2010 gubernatorial bid, the congressman says he has only put out feelers and will likely make a decision in the next few weeks.

Name recognition will be his first battle, political analysts say.

Outside of West Michigan, even those who are aware of the name Hoekstra know nothing of the man, said Phil Power, president of the think-tank Center for Michigan.

"It varies according to the location of the people with whom I'm speaking," Power said. "People on the west side of the state know the congressman and are well aware of his intention to run for governor. People in the middle of the state — say Lansing — are dimly aware. People in southeast Michigan ... are not aware at all."

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, also a Republican, has more statewide name recognition and is another potential candidate for governor.

While nothing is official, Hoekstra has been talking to advisers across the state to decide his political future, the 2nd District congressman said. If he does decide to run for the governor's office, Hoekstra would likely give up his seat in Congress.

Among those giving feedback is state Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland. He is also on the list of those who would jump on the chance to run for Hoekstra's congressional seat if he decides to step aside.

"I would absolutely consider that," Huizenga said. "I've had people encouraging me if that was to happen to get into that race."

Huizenga is chairman of the 2nd Congressional District Republican Party and spent six years on Hoekstra's staff as district director before running for the state House.

Hoekstra was in Lansing on Tuesday to address the state Legislature about the auto industry. Lansing political newsletter MIRS has reported Hoekstra has also met with Teamster President Jim Hoffa Jr.

State Rep. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, and Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land are other possible candidates for the 2nd District congressional seat held by Hoekstra since 1992, although Land lives outside the district and would have to move.

"I likely would be interested, but I've got to focus on doing my job as state senator right now," Kuipers said.

Not running for re-election would be a bold and risky move, political analyst Bill Ballenger said.

"It's a daunting gamble for anybody in Congress to give up a safe seat," said Ballenger, who is also editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics. "If you lose, you're out on the street."

Whether his future is politics or another road entirely, Hoekstra said, one thing will be the ultimate deciding factor.

"What it all comes down to at the end of this process is really what (my wife) Diane and I believe is best for us," the congressman said.