Gubernatorial Candidate Pete Hoekstra Will Participate in Public Funding

HOLLAND, Mich., August 4, 2009 — U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, today announced that he will be opting into Michigan’s gubernatorial public funding program.

“Michigan’s public financing system is designed to provide matching funds to grassroots campaigns that have proven their ability to raise $100 donations from a large number of citizens across the state,” said Hoekstra. “Over these past few months, I have been honored by the broad base of support we have built for our campaign, and we are going to continue to discuss with the public their ideas on how to improve the state.”

The last successful Republican candidate for governor, John Engler, participated in the public funding program, and the decision to opt into the system is a good first indication of the strength of a candidacy.

To qualify for public funds, a candidate must raise at least $75,000 in “qualifying contributions” during the primary election. “Qualifying contributions” are defined as “a contribution of $100 or less from a Michigan resident in a calendar year.” Once a gubernatorial campaign has qualified, they will receive $2 in public funds for each $1 qualifying contribution, up to a total of $990,000 in public funds for the primary election. Public financing allows grassroots-based campaigns to level the playing field with self-funded candidates.

“Only campaigns with a broad base of support will have the ability to opt into the public funding program,” said Hoekstra for Governor Director of Operations Dave Mroz. “We are honored by the amount of grassroots support we have been receiving throughout the state that has enabled us to take this important step.”

About Hoekstra
Prior to being elected as a U.S. Congressman, Pete Hoekstra was the vice president of Marketing at Herman Miller, a Fortune 500 Company. He also earned his MBA from the University of Michigan. He has represented Michigan’s Second Congressional District since 1993 and launched his gubernatorial campaign in March of 2009. Hoekstra currently serves as the top Republican and former Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and is a senior member of the House Committee on Education and Labor.

To view and download a photo of Hoekstra, please click.

For more information on Pete Hoekstra for Governor, click here. Photos from his Michigan campaign can be downloaded at Flickr. You can also follow Congressman Hoekstra on Twitter or visit him on Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACT
Carey Osmundson
(248) 258-2333
[email protected]

XXX

Paid for by Pete Hoekstra for Governor
P.O. Box 1287
Holland, MI 49422