Pete Hoekstra

US Representative Michigan 2nd District '93-'09

The second district has been known to elect some fairly conservative representatives and Hoekstra is no exception. If George W. Bush decided not to ever be out-Texn'd (vernacular added) Peter Hoekstra has made the same pledge, he will never be out-West Michigandered. Peter, the Christian Reformer Hope graduate born in the Netherlands, after rising to a vice president at Herman Miller decided to campaign by riding his bike across the district. For his dedication, he was rewarded with a victory and another victory until now when he running for Governor.

In his long career in the House, Hoekstra, has developed a strict party line voting record that can be said to represent his district very well. Living in the second district for the most of five years now, unless you follow his twitter you know little about him.

Early Political Image:

Peter's twitter (the only Represenititve or Senator from Michigan with one) has been, both, his best friend and his worst enemy. Back in February, Hoekstra went on a trip to Iraq with Ohio represenititve John Boehner. Which would have been a fine holiday if it wasn't supposed to be a state secret ("Just landed in Baghdad"). If this does not become an attack point in the primaries, you can bet it will be in the general election.

Superficially Hoekstra looks like a Governor, however, when he speaks outside of the halls it's a different story. In his campaign announcement he sounded like a fanboy geeked out to be campaigning for something other than represenititve. I don't know if it was poor directing or something else, but it doesn't feel right. If he continues to use this type of attack rhetoric with this delivery he will not do well. His opponents will be able to combine these ads with his tweeting dependency and have a great air-head assault against him. It would be 'Look what he did as a represenititve, do you want him to mess up our state too.' We will just have to wait and see.

For now you can see this:

Andy Dillon

17th District Representative 04-09
Current Speaker of Michigan's House Of Representatives.

Andy Dillon has not yet announced that he will officially be running for Governor, but last month he declined funding for his reelection campaign, so I think we all know whats up.

Andy earned a reputation in Michigan for being one tough cookie, when, in October of 2007, Andy voted in favor of HB 5194. HB 5194 was a bill that increased Michigan's taxes to cover the 2008 budget gap. The measure put in place to replace the Single Business Tax was to increase service taxes. After a long debate and with bi-partisan support HB 5194 passed the House and Senate. Then came the Pig.

The "Michigan's Taxpayers Alliance" an organization set up by Leon Drolet to recall any state law maker who raised taxes in Michigan. You might remember Drolet from the popular Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (Proposal Two). If you don't remember the MCRI you might remember this:


Any way Drolet, was 779 signatures short of holding the recall election because many were deemed to be either forged or obtained by out of district petitioners. After Terri Lynn Land refused to recount the signatures, Drolet eventually took the case to a Federal judge in Cincinnati who ruled in favor of Drolet. The matter was eventually put on the 2008 ballot and was rejected.

Early Political Image:

It seems that he would be able to go through a tough campaign, but he look's a lot like Mitt Rommney. It would do him well to get into the race NOW. If he doesn't Cherry (who has already received many endorsements from county commissioners) will blow right past him in fundraising and support.

It will be interesting to see how much money people give during this race. With the economy the way it has been for the past 10 odd years and large donors tapped out from the Presidential campaign, this might be the year that thrift might get you somewhere.