Although only one potential GOP candidate has
formally announced intentions of running for the U.S. Senate against Democratic
candidate and current U.S. Representative Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield), Mr.
Peters has a lead over a list of possible candidates according to a recent
poll.
Former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land,
the only Republican fully “in” at the moment, trails Mr. Peters by 5 points (41
to 36 percent), despite more voters recognizing Ms. Land’s name than those that
recognized Mr. Peters’ name. Ms. Land’s numbers against Mr. Peters are the best
of any of the potential candidates.
U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-Brighton),
who many in the GOP are hoping will run, trails Mr. Peters 42 percent to 32
percent. Mr. Peters also leads U.S. Representative Justin Amash (R-Kentwood) by
double-digits, 42-30.
Two other potential candidates whose names
have been circulated, State Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw) and physician Rob
Steele, both trail Mr. Peters 44-26. One sleeper GOP candidate considering a
run is Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra; however, he was not included in the poll.