Two Republicans want the chance to challenge Michigan incumbent Sen. Debbie Stabenow in the November election.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard and the Rev. Keith Butler of Lathrup Village will face each other in the Aug. 8 primary. As an unchallenged incumbent, Stabenow will automatically appear as the Democratic Party's nominee on the November ballot.
Below is a description of the two challengers and why they want your vote on Aug. 8.
The sheriff
Bouchard is the sheriff of Oakland County and plans to improve Michigan's economy and homeland security if elected to the Senate.
These are the reasons he decided to run, Bouchard said.
He said Michigan's unemployment rate is causing college graduates to leave Michigan in search of better jobs.
"I don't want my children, when they reach the point of finishing college, to not have a choice to live here," Bouchard said.
He said he can work to improve the economy with experience as a business owner and law enforcement officer.
"I've created jobs — I know what's involved in that," Bouchard said. "I know what it means to do payroll and deal with the concerns small business owners have."
Success in improving Michigan's economy will depend on employers and entrepreneurs growing and succeeding, he said.
He said the government also needs to work on protecting the U.S. and Canadian border because of the potential of terrorists to enter the country there.
As a senator, he would work to secure better protection of that border, he said.
Bouchard said he's the candidate to send to the primary because he can beat Stabenow.
"I have a proven track record in the most pressing issues in Michigan," Bouchard said.
The minister
Keith Butler, a minister from Lathrup Village, said his profession has allowed him to see what the effects of decisions made in Washington, D.C., are on local people.
"Being someone who has a ministerial background, I'm the first person they come to when they can't get jobs, when they can't get health care and can't send their children to schools," Butler said.
His goals and priorities in the Senate would be reducing the cost of health care and lowering the tax rate for businesses and individuals.
He said both actions will help businesses, which can improve the economy.
"There's a direct link between the loss of thousands of jobs in Michigan and the rising costs of heath care," Butler said, adding that he wants to close the U.S. and Mexican border to illegal immigration.
Butler also said the education system must be improved for the state to succeed.
"For us to compete in this new worldwide economy, we must do better than we are now," Butler said.
Butler said his experience as a member of the Detroit City Council, his trips to 22 countries and his business skills make him a good person to represent Michigan in the Senate.
"I am also an entrepreneur; I'm someone who has 254 employees and knows what it means to start from the ground and build something," Butler said.
Butler said he isn't a career politician and will make sure to listen to the concerns of Michigan citizens.
That's what makes him the best Republican to send against Stabenow, Butler said.
"It's time for ordinary people to go to Washington."
