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Welcome to Michigan Radio’s coverage page for the 2012 Election.If you’re looking for more information to help with your decisions, you can read our collection of stories about key races featured below.You can also check out our Guide to the Ballot Proposals.

Clark Durant to formally launch Senate bid

Clark Durant will officially announce his candidacy for U.S. Senate tomorrow.
Clark Durant Facebook page
Clark Durant will officially announce his candidacy for U.S. Senate tomorrow.

Former Michigan State Board of Education President Clark Durant says he will formally launch his bid for the U.S. Senate tomorrow in Detroit.

Durant is seeking the Republican nomination to face Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) on the November 2012 ballot.

Durant is a former president of the state Board of Education. He made a failed attempt to win his party’s U.S. Senate nomination 20 years ago.

He also ran unsuccessfully for the state Supreme Court. 

Durant says he will run against a Washington D.C. culture that has failed to rein-in spending on government programs.

He says he will wage an outsider’s campaign against opponents with more political experience.

"I think there are many men and women who could serve well and represent the people of Michigan in the United States Senate, but my life is an example of taking on the status quo," said Durant. "I have challenged conventional wisdom. I am aligned now against all the establishment in my party."

Governor Rick Snyder and many other state elected officials have endorsed former Congressman Pete Hoekstra.

Durant has the support of billionaire and former state GOP chair Betsy DeVos, Republican National Committeeman Saul Anuzis, and former U.S. Senator Spence Abraham.

Other Republicans seeking the nomination include former judge Randy Hekman, anti-gay rights activist Gary Glenn, and Roscommon businessman Peter Konetchy.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987.
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