By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-978829.mp3
LANSING, MI –
The field of people seeking the Republican nomination to run next year against Democratic U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow grew larger this week with the entry of former Congressman Pete Hoekstra into the race. But as we hear from Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta, that does not close the door on more GOP contenders.
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Hoekstra is well known among Republican voters both as an ex-member of Congress and the runner-up in last year's race for the GOP nomination for governor. He's widely considered a front-runner - if not "the" frontrunner.
But others are still contemplating getting in. Education reform advocate Clark Durant ran for and lost a race for the nomination in 1990, and says he's ready to try again.
"I certainly want to make the decision before Labor Day, but my target date is August 15th," he says.
That's from an appearance on the public TV show "Off the Record."
There are at least four other Republicans also in the race or considering it.
Stabenow says she plans to stand back and watch for now.
"I understand there will be a spirited primary and we'll see what happens," she says. "As far as I'm concerned, next year is the time I will really be focused on this."
Stabenow will be running for her third six-year Senate term.
Former juvenile court judge Randy Hekman, anti-gay activist Gary Glenn, and accountant Peter Konetchy have announced their interest in the race for the Republican nomination.