Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski has reportedly
moved closer to a long-rumored bid for the State Senate in the 13th
District, filing paperwork to set up a campaign committee as well as creating a
website for his campaign. Fellow Republicans State Representative Tom McMillin
(R-Rochester Hills) and former State Representative Chuck Moss have both been
actively campaigning already for the GOP nod.
In more news related to the State Senate,
late last week current State Senator Bruce Caswell (R-Hillsdale) announced that
he will not be seeking a second term in the State Senate. The new lines in 2014
contain three current House seats – those of State Representatives Kenneth
Kurtz (R-Coldwater), Earl Poleski (R-Jackson), and Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake). Since
then, both Representative Kurtz and Representative Poleski have announced their
intentions on passing on the Senate bid – paving the way for a run by Representative
Shirkey.
Meanwhile, in the run for the 32nd
State Senate seat, Representative Stacey Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw) earned the
endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW), giving her a leg-up on Democratic
organizer Garnet Lewis for the Democratic nomination and the honor of taking on
former Republican State Representative Ken Horn.
Also in the Tri-City area, Democrat Ron
Mindykowski, a drama teacher at Bay City Western High School, has filed to run
for the 31st State Senate seat currently held by Senator Mike Green
(R-Mayville). Senator Green is also facing a Primary challenge from current
State Representative Kevin Daley (R-Lum).
Finally, on the State House side of the
campaign, Democratic Battle Creek City Commissioner Andy Helmboldt has filed
paperwork to create a campaign committee to run in the 62nd House
District being vacated by Representative Kate Segal due to term limits.
Democratic Calhoun County Commissioner Terris Todd has already filed to run in
the seat as well.