LANSING, Mich., March 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., said Monday he is running for the post of Michigan governor.
The nine-term congressman told the Holland (Mich.) Sentinel exclusively Sunday that his run for the governor's office comes amid personal frustration at watching his state struggle with rising unemployment and other problems.
"I have been frustrated by watching what is happening in the state," Hoekstra told the newspaper on the eve of officially announcing his candidacy. "We're losing Michigan."
The former chairman of the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence said at a Detroit news conference Monday that his goal is to rebuild Michigan.
"We will create new opportunities to not only keep our family members, friends, neighbors and our great businesses here at home in Michigan but attract new companies and residents to our great state," Hoekstra said.
The Detroit Free Press said Hoekstra, 55, will vie for his party's nomination against state Sen. Tom George, R-Kalamazoo; Attorney General Mike Cox; and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land.
