U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra stumps locally - WNEM TV 5

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra launched his "We Did Build This" tour Tuesday in Mid-Michigan.  

As the Republican National Convention convenes in Tampa on Tuesday with the same theme, Hoekstra will be visiting local small businesses talking about how they built their company and the impediments to growth that the government creates, according to campaign officials.

Hoekstra, the former congressman from Holland, will face off against incumbent U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow in the November election. Stabenow is from Lansing and is running for a third Senate term.

"Debbie Stabenow's record amassed over four decades shows that she believes that the government is the backbone of our economy," said Hoekstra in a news release.  

Hoekstra will be visiting the following locations Tuesday:

• Computers to Go, 6800 Eastman Ave. Suite E 516 Midland
• Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, 25 Christmas Lane Frankenmuth
• Dog Central, 111 E. Michigan Street Mount Pleasant

Meanwhile, a Michigan citizen watchdog group will be releasing a new anti-Hoekstra television ad Tuesday.

"Former Congressman Pete Hoekstra has known ties to corporate lobbyists and a record of supporting policies that hurt Michigan's seniors and middle class families. The new ad will begin airing on broadcast TV in multiple media markets, starting Tuesday," according to a news release issued by Progress Michigan.

The group is holding an afternoon news conference and screening at 501 Bar and Grill. 500 S. Saginaw in Flint.

Hoekstra's opponent in the race for Senate, Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, released this statement on Tuesday:

"Hoekstra says he's for small business but he voted for budget-busters like the $700 billion Wall Street bailout that did nothing to help Michigan businesses or middle class families.  Now Hoekstra works at a D.C. lobbying firm and is pushing a plan to gut Medicare while funneling tax dollars to his clients and other special interests.  Michigan doesn't need politicians like Hoekstra who help rig the rules for special interests, we need someone like Debbie who fights for Michigan families." 

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