Royal Oak’s John McCulloch to Challenge U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow

Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner — and Royal Oak resident — John McCulloch announced today that he is entering the to challenge Democrat Debbie Stabenow for her U.S. Senate seat in the 2012 general election.

McCulloch will challenge Stabenow as a Republican. Others considered challengers for the Senate seat in 2012 are former Kent County Probate Judge Randy Hekman and Roscommon businessman Pete Konetchy.

Prior to his elected position as water resources commissioner, McCulloch was an Oakland County Commissioner for 10 years. He was also a longtime attorney and certified public accountant. Taking on a two-term U.S. senator is a challenge he relishes.

“As you can imagine, putting together a statewide campaign is a daunting task – garnering endorsements and raising money,” McCulloch said Friday morning after his announcement. McCulloch launched his campaign website, along with Twitter and Facebook accounts to help generate interest.

A handful of candidates have dipped their toes in the political pool, only to back away. That list includes former Congressman Pete Hoekstra, former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (he’s running for president) and former state GOP Chair Saul Anuzis.

McCulloch said he’s running against Stabenow because he is disappointed with how business is being conducted in the nation’s capital.

“I started to reflect on the turmoil we have seen in Washington, in particular with the issue over the debt ceiling limitation and the inability of our Congress and President to address it,” McCulloch said. “We are running out of time and options. The message is simple: Based on the current situation, it correlates to Debbie Stabenow’s inability to address those issues, and my ability to actually address them.

Among other components, McCulloch cited Oakland County’s financial stability, which includes a balanced budget through 2014, as the fuel he’ll use to motor his campaign. “I am taking that financial acumen to Washington,” he said.

Stabenow’s camp has referred to the Michigan Democratic Party for a response. The MDP has cited the litany of candidates considering, and then declining, challenging Stabenow as proof of the campaign and candidate strength. A recent statement by the MDP indicates it does not consider McCulloch to be a top-tier challenger to Stabenow.

“It’s really not surprising that top candidates do not want to challenge Debbie Stabenow, MDP Chair Mark Brewer said. “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.”

The 61-year-old Stabenow has been a longtime political force both statewide and nationally, especially when it comes to winning elections. Her political career began with a victory that landed her on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners in the mid-'70s. She has been victorious on the state House and Senate levels in Michigan and U.S. Congress. She is in her second, six-year U.S. Senate term, having earned that spot by narrowly beating incumbent Republican Spence Abraham in 2000. In 2006, she fended off challenger Michael Bouchard, now the Oakland County Sheriff. Presently, among other senatorial responsibilities, she chairs the U.S. Agriculture Committee.

It has been reported that Stabebow has approximately $4 million on hand, at this point, for her re-election. McCulloch, who said he won’t have financial information available until the required quarterly reporting deadline in early October, pointed out a race of this nature is not for the thrifty.

“These statewide senatorial races, on average, cost about $14 million,” McCulloch said. “It’s always a challenge going up against an incumbent.”

McCulloch, and any other probable candidates, have until 4 p.m. May 15, 2012 to file the appropriate paperwork with the state, including signatures and an Affadavit of Identity. His post on the county’s Water Resource Commission would become vacant and up for election in 2012.

The primary election in 2012 will be Tuesday, Aug. 7. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012.