From Political Insider:
http://politicalinsider.com/2006/12/levin_may_face_off_against_an.htmlLevin May Face Off Against Engler
With Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) announcing that he will seek a sixth term in the U.S. Senate, word has already circulated that the Michigan Republican Party has a killer candidate to challenge and defeat Levin... and the last name is Engler. Before your mind jumps to the rotund, popular, former Gov. John Engler (R), think much smaller, female, but just as popular, former First Lady Michelle Engler.
Levin, who first was elected in 1978 after his brother Sander lost two narrow races for Governor, will be the new Senate Armed Services Chairman in the 110th Congress. Sander Levin is now a Congressman.
Levin's announcement immediately closed the door on three members of the House, Republicans Candice Miller and Mike Rogers and Democrat Bart Stupak who had looked to move up. Also two other Democrats, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and former U.S. Congressman David Bonior, who was a strong runner-up for Governor in 2002, both had been considered strong bets to run had Levin retired. Bonior will now serve as John Edwards campaign manager for President in 2008 and Granholm will serve a second term ending two years before Levin's next term ends should he win a sixth term.
But some Michigan Republicans think Michelle Engler could make a strong bid to win the Senate seat and provide a bright spot for a party that has taken a downward spiral. Engler, a native Texan, has ties to President Bush as well. She received her bachelor's degree in government at the University of Texas and is a graduate of the University of Texas Law School. Prior to her marriage, Michelle DeMunbrun was a partner in the Texas law firm of Nathan, Wood and Sommers, where she specialized in bankruptcy law and commercial litigation. She also served as Of Counsel for the Grand Rapids law firm Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt, & Howlett from 1992 - 1994. In 2001, Michelle was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a member of the Federal Home Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). She was re-appointed to this position in 2002.
Its not unprecedented for wives of politicians to run for the Senate in both Michigan and in the country. But they have had mixed results. Republican Former First Lady of Michigan Lenore Romney, wife of Governor George W. Romney and mother of Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, made an aggressive challenge to then-incumbent Democrat Senator Phillip A. Hart but lost. However, more recently, Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) went from the White House as First Lady to being New York's junior U.S. Senator.
Jane Abraham the Co-Chair of the state Republican Party and the wife of former U.S. Sen. Spencer Abraham of Michigan, has also indicated she may run as well. However, Michigan Republicans have been down that road before, this past year when they sought a prominent Republican to challenge freshman Debbie Stabenow and grew quicklyfrustrated with Abraham.
Stabenow was re-elected this past November with 60% of the vote over Detroit Sheriff Mike Bouchard. Levin has won re-election the last four times by getting at least 58% of the vote. In 2002, he defeated Republican State Rep. Andrew "Rocky" Raczkowski with 61%.
