Trump's Michigan co-chair announces candidacy for U.S. Senate

Mlive ^ | 5-22-2016 | Julie Mack

[Darren McCarty]

Lena Epstein, co-chairwoman of Donald Trump's Michigan campaign, has announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate.

If Epstein wins the Republican nomination in 2018, she would be up against U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who first won her Senate seat in 2000 and won easy re-elections in 2006 and 2012.

Epstein is the first Republican to declare candidacy for the seat.

A 35-year-old Bloomfield Hills resident, Epstein is co-owner of Vesco Oil Co., a distributor of automotive and industrial lubricants. The company has more than 200 employees and annual revenues of $175 million, according to Epstein's personal website.

In a press release announcing her candidacy, Epstein says she supports Trump's "American First" policies.

"Michigan spoke loud and clear in the last election -- we want an outsider with business leadership skills who can inspire the people of Michigan with a bright vision for the future," Epstein added in the press release.

"I will speak for those who have not been spoken for. I will represent those who know, deep down, that their government has failed them and their families.

[Darren McCarty]

The only reason I voted for Dick Michigan, I mean Rick Snyder, was because his opponent was Mark Schauer and I suffered through two years of him as a congresscritter.

[taildragger]

Thanks to all for the corrections. I got the 854 number from an Ann Arbor resident, he was off just by about two zeros :-). As to Stabenow's religious affiliations, I could have Wiki'd that, my bad.

[Michigan Bowhunter]

I was a Trump Co Chair.....doubt I would get that kind of write up. She is a solid candidate. There will be others and speculation is one of them may be the Lt Governor (Brian Calley) who could not even win his nominated spot at the State Convention in 2010. Then we also have a retired Supreme Court Justice who may run as well.......

Getting rid of Dirty Debbie would be nice.

[Darren McCarty]

I really like Justice Young, but does he have the fire in the belly for a Senate campaign?

Calley's a legitimately nice guy, but he can't win. He's too tied to Snyder and took too many bad tiebreaking votes he now owns. I think he's running for governor.

[Michigan Bowhunter]

Calley has Jon Yob as a campaign manager. So does this young gal. Guessing he will be running for Governor. Bad move on his behalf. His best move would be to go for Secretary of State.

I am NOT a fan of Calley at all. I just listened to an interview of this gal on the Steve Gruber Show from Tuesday and she is not all that impressive. Could not form answers to simple questions.

[Darren McCarty]

If it's a John Yob campaign, this campaign will either be very good or very bad. There's usually no in between with them.

Calley's got all of Snyder's baggage. Nice guy from what I heard, but I don't know anyone from party operatives to regular peole who told me that he can win.