Hoekstra wins Michigan GOP primary for US Senate

[August 08, 2012]  DETROIT (AP) -- Former Michigan Congressman Pete Hoekstra has won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, overcoming a challenge from two Republicans who questioned his record as a conservative.

The Holland former lawmaker defeated Clark Durant of Grosse Pointe and former Kent County Judge Randy Hekman of Grand Rapids Tuesday in the GOP primary. He'll advance to a November matchup with Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Durant had mounted a furious challenge in the final weeks of the campaign, launching ads attacking Hoekstra's record during his 18 years in the House and labeling him and Stabenow "Washington insiders."

An independent group called Prosperity for Michigan spent up to $500,000 on an anti-Hoekstra ad campaign to help Durant.

Stabenow, of Lansing, is running for a third Senate term.

[Associated Press; By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.