Senate Majority
Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) is the latest Republican to be rumored as a
candidate in the gubernatorial primary election. Mr. Meekhof will be unable to
seek reelection in 2018 due to term limits and his spokesperson Amber McCann
did not deny that a run for Governor was in the cards, stating that Mr. Meekhof
is unsure of what his plans are for 2018.
While it is still
very early in the process, the Republican primary could shape up to be one
crowded with statewide officials, as Lt. Governor Brian Calley, Attorney
General Bill Schuette, and U.S. Representative Candice Miller (R-Harrison
Township), are also possible candidates. Mr. Meekhof would be the only
potential candidate to hail from western Michigan, a powerful Republican voting
block; however, he would face an uphill battle against a statewide office
holder due to name recognition.
Both Mr. Schuette and
Ms. Miller would also have a vast upper hand in fundraising, as their statewide
networks would allow them to reach wealthy donors from throughout Michigan.
Senate Majority Leader Meekhof’s lack of a political presence in the suburbs of
Detroit could also pose a potential problem, due to the large Republican
presence in the area.
Since taking charge
as the leader of the Senate Republicans, Mr. Meekhof has received positive reviews
from those in Lansing; however his tendency to vote conservatively could hurt
his ability to pull independent voters in a general election. Conversely, his
role in ushering a 15-cent gas tax increase through the Senate has hurt him
with some ultra-conservative Republicans.