EMAIL DETAILS

Finding A Stabenow Challenger: So far, all the discussion about the 2012 Michigan Senate race has focused on outgoing Rep. and 2010 gubernatorial contender Pete Hoekstra (R) and whether he'll challenge Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D). But here is another name you might be hearing a lot more of after the New Year: Tim Leuliette.

Leuliette is a businessman and major Republican donor who is considering the race.

"We're still digesting the last election," he told Hotline On Call Monday evening. "That's something we'll think about and talk about around the first of year."

Leuliette has made calls to prominent Michigan Republicans, according to sources in the state. He would bring a lot to the table -- most notably his checkbook.

Most recently, Leuliette was the CEO of Dura Automotive -- an auto parts distributor -- and managing director of the automotive group at Patriarch Partners -- a New York private equity firm. He held both of those positions until mid-October, so it makes sense he is looking for what he is going to do next.

If Hoekstra passes on the race (his spokesman declined to comment), Leuliette could step into the Republican void coming off a 2010 election where the GOP gained control of both chambers of the state legislature and the governorship. Michigan Republicans also have a history of being receptive to self-funding businessmen -- with Gov.-elect Rick Snyder (R) being the most recent example, along with Dick DeVos, who unsuccessfully challenged Gov. Jennifer Granholmin 2006.

Other potential Republican Senate contenders include Rep. Mike Rogers and Secretary of StateTerri Lynn Land, who briefly ran for governor this year.


Eric D. Schwerin
Rosemont Seneca Partners, LLC
1010 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Suite 705
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-1880
eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com
P Consider the environment before printing this email.