Ex-Mich. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land enters U.S. Senate race

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 3 (UPI) -- Former Michigan Secretary of State Terry Lynn Land, a Republican, announced Monday she is a candidate for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Carl Levin.

"I would like to thank everyone who has been encouraging me to run for U.S. Senate. Representing our magnificent state of Michigan and your interests in Congress would be the greatest honor. We need conservative leadership now more than ever because of high unemployment, huge deficits and a spendthrift Congress," Land said in a statement. "Beginning today, I am putting together a campaign strategy and a policy team. I will be filing the appropriate paper work by July 1 to become a Republican primary candidate.

Land, a Republican National Committee member, has polled behind U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, the House Intelligence Committee chairman, among possible candidates as the Republican Party works to field a contender, The Detroit News reported. Rogers has said he is considering a run, but hasn't said when he would announce a decision.

Land joins U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, a Democrat who the early consensus choice of his party, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Other possible Republican candidates include AT&T Michigan President James Murray, U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, former Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis and Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra, the News said.

First elected in 1978, Levin is Michigan's longest serving senator. He heads the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.