As expected, State Representative Stacey
Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw) has established a committee to run for the State Senate
in the 32nd State Senate District. The seat will be open in 2014 as
current Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township) is unable to run due to term
limits.
Representative Oakes is the second Democrat
to file in the district. Garnet Lewis has been actively campaigning since last
spring. Former State Representative Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) is the presumptive
Republican nominee for the seat.
In Southeast Michigan, Democratic
Representative Dian Slavens (D-Canton Township) has announced her bid to run
for the Senate in the 7th District currently held by Republican and
Tea Party favorite State Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township).
Republican-turned-Democrat and former State
Representative John Stewart has also announced his candidacy for the seat as a
Democrat, setting up a potential Democratic Primary battle for the right to
challenge Senator Colbeck.