Hoekstra wins GOP Senate nomination

PONTIAC, Mich. (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.

Speaking at a rally in Pontiac, the ex-congressman from Holland said Tuesday night that his campaign will take what it's learned "and apply it to the next 13 weeks."

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.

Among those standing on stage with Hoekstra at the rally was Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, who lost to Stabenow in her last Senate race in 2006.

"We're sending a real clear signal," said Hoesktra. "We tried to make sure we did this in the primary by organizing a structure that was a statewide campaign. You've got a lot of the leadership here in Oakland County that go on board very early. You got Rick Snyder, who got on very early. I think the results tonight will show that we ran strong across the state, which is exactly what we're going to have to do to be successful this fall."

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 is from Lansing and is running for a third Senate term.

24 Hour News 8's Joe LaFurgey is covering the campaign and will have more information later.