Buoyed by his early fund-raising success, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra on Monday blamed Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow for the Senate's inaction in producing a budget.
Hearkening back to his 18 years in the U.S. House and his membership on the House Budget Committee, the Holland Republican said Stabenow, a member of the Senate Budget committee, shares responsibility for the budget gridlock that has lasted more than 900 days.
“They are unable and unwilling to put before Americans what they want to do with spending,” said Hoekstra in a telephone news conference
Hoekstra's campaign also announced it has launched a website, “www.donothingdebbie.com.” The one-page site asks users to sign a petition calling for the Senate to adopt a budget. It also allows users to donate to Hoekstra's campaign.
Last week, Hoekstra announced he has raised more than $1 million since he announced his candidacy in July, exceeding the pace set by other GOP contenders for the seat. Hoekstra estimated he will need to raise $12 million to $14 million for a successful challenge to Stabenow, who has held the seat since 2000.
Also running for the GOP nomination are Detroit charter school founder Clark Durant, former Kent County Probate Judge Randy Hekman, Roscommon businessman Peter Konetchy and Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan and Detroit resident Scotty Boman.
Recent opinion polls indicate Hoekstra has the leading Republican contender, based on the statewide name recognition he built during his run for governor in 2010.
Stabenow announced she also raised more than $1 million in the third quarter, bringing her total political war chest to more than $6 million.
E-mail Jim Harger: jharger@grpress.com
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