BAY CITY -- U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra brought his campaign for governor to Bay City on Friday. He arrived at Michigan Sugar Company as a worker for the day, part of his “100 jobs campaign” where he performs 100 jobs in various Michigan industries. Hoekstra worked in the sugar factory as he talked with workers about issues the next governor will deal with.
Hoekstra also met with small business owners at Midland Street Jack’s Bar and Grill, talking about everything from job creation to health care.
“I think the next governor not only has to have a vision for Michigan, but they have to have the capability to implement it, which means they have to have a resume that says I understand business principals. I’ve worked there and I’ve worked in government. I can bring the two together,” he said in an interview with NBC25.
Hoekstra is currently the front runner in a series of early polls that have him up against Businessman Rick Snyder, Attorney General Mike Cox, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, and state Sen. Tom George.
Hoekstra comes from the Fortune 500 Company Herman Miller where he was Vice President of Marketing. He has represented the state’s 2nd Congressional District on the west side since 1993.
Hoekstra is campaigning on less government in order to bring in more job creation.
“We need to downsize government and we need to fundamentally overhaul our tax system,” he said.
“That includes the (Michigan Business Tax), it includes property taxes, the non-homestead tax and the personal property taxes on businesses. Each of these taxes in its own way stifles growth and the entrepreneurial spirit,” he added.
Hoekstra enjoys a national profile as the Ranking Member on the US House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He has semi-regular appearances on national news shows where he usually discusses national security issues and the War on Terror.
