Gary Glenn considers run for U.S. Senate

Gary Glenn, head of the American Family Association of Michigan, has announced he is considering a run for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2012.

If he does run and win the GOP nomination, Glenn will square off with incumbent Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat from Lansing. Glenn has been an active spokesperson for the religious right in Michigan for years. He has also recently been seen talking to a variety of conservative and Tea Party groups about so-called “right to work” legislation in the state.

In an email he sent to the media announcing his exploratory committee, Glenn had this to say about the reasoning for his potential run:

“Our nation’s economy, security, liberties, moral foundation, and founding principles — all that’s made America and Americans exceptional in the history of the world – are under attack from within,” Glenn said. “If they’re not stopped, liberal ideologues like Debbie Stabenow and Barack Obama will rob our children of their birthright of freedom and turn our country into the United Socialist States of America. If I run, it will be to answer a call to duty — to God and my country and my own children — to do whatever I can to help senators like Jim DeMint and Rand Paul and Mike Lee stop them.”

Glenn’s announcement comes as a series of high profile Republicans — Saul Anuzis, former chair of the Michigan GOP; former Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland; and former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land — have declined the chance to run. Livonia Republican Congressman Thaddeus McCotter also declined a chance to challenge Stabenow, instead opting for a longshot bid for the GOP nomination for president.

The big names are likely being scared off by Stabenow’s campaign war chest of $4 million on hand.

That has opened the door to a host of lesser candidates to toss their names into the hat. The Detroit News reports:

Announced candidates so far are activist Peter Konetchy; Rick Wilson, a retired autoworker who’s run unsuccessfully against Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Flint; self-described constitutional conservative Chad Dewey; and former West Michigan judge Randy Hekman.

Also considering a run are: Clark Durant, former Cornerstone Schools chief executive; and Rob Steele, the Ann Arbor cardiologist who lost to Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, last year.

The absence of high profile GOP names in the race led the Michigan Democratic Party to issue an taunting press release Friday morning.

“It’s really not surprising that top candidates do not want to challenge Debbie Stabenow,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Brewer said in the release. “Debbie Stabenow is getting results on issues important to Michigan families like job creation, fighting unfair trade and protecting the Great Lakes. She is in a very strong position so it’s not hard to see why Republicans are having trouble finding a top candidate willing to run against her.”