Democrats Considers Running For Hoekstra's Seat GRAND RAPIDS, MI (Michigan Radio) - A Democrat in Holland says he's interested in running for Republican Pete Hoekstra's seat in Congress next year. Four Republicans have already announced their intentions to run.

Pete Hoekstra is leaving his seat for the 2nd Congressional District so he can run for governor.

Fred Johnson ran against Hoekstra last year and lost. He's a history professor at Hope College in Holland.

Johnson says he thinks a Democrat has a better shot next year, when the seat will be open. But first he has to form an exploratory committee and see whether he can make a strong run.

"That definitely means money," he says. "Certainly, success is going to be gained in part by the ability to raise enough money to run a successful campaign, a strong campaign."

If Johnson ultimately decides to run, he'll have to play catch-up with the four Republicans who've already started campaigning and fundraising.

Contact Dustin Dwyer at dtdwyer@umich.edu.

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