Trying To Clear The Field For Hoekstra

By Sean Sullivan  //  August 31, 2011 | 1:55 p.m.
Updated: September 2, 2011 | 8:10 a.m.

Former GOP Rep. Pete Hoekstra's Senate campaign in Michigan received the endorsement of the state's sitting governor, Rick Snyder on Monday, and earlier this morning, a former governor expressed hope that one of Hoekstra's Republican opponents, Clark Durant, would not challenge him in a primary.

"I am hopeful Clark decides he will stay with education and let Pete be the candidate," former Gov. John Engler told radio and TV host Michael Patrick Shiels.

Durant, a conservative who heads a Michigan charter school program, has said he plans to officially kick off his campaign after Labor Day. Michigan Republicans believe Durant poses an outside threat to Hoekstra winning the nomination.

While Engler praised Hoekstra, he stopped short of making an official endorsement.

"I don't get involved in the role that I've got today. I certainly have talked with Pete. I think he'd be an excellent United States Senator," he said.

Engler still wields some influence in Michigan politics, but an endorsement wouldn't likely make a huge impact with GOP primary voters; more valuable is Engler's network of policy and fundraising connections around Lansing.


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