My wife Erin, my youngest son Ben, and I just completed a swing through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We were once again reminded why we have taken so many vacations in the U.P. It is the pristine beauty of the great north and the hospitality of the people. It is a big peninsula and we weren't able to get to every town that we wanted but we did visit new friends in Escanaba, Crystal Falls, Houghton/Hancock, Marquette, Munising, Manistique and Newberry with stops in Empire, Petoskey and Harbor Springs on the way north and Cheboygan and Traverse City on the way back down.

Although some experts would say, "Don't waste your time in the U.P. There aren't enough people there to make it worthwhile." I feel differently. In many areas of the state people tend to have their minds made up about Democrats and Republicans. But the Upper Peninsula is different; voters up there are independent thinkers. You have to "earn" the vote by going to the people. I can respect that and that is why Erin and I made the trek.

But on top of that, we were looking for an excuse to steal a little time in some of the most beautiful country in this great nation. To everyone "up north" we met and spent some time with we say thank you. By the way, if you want one of the tastiest pasties anywhere, stop in at Jean Kay's in Marquette.

LANSING - State Rep. Jack Hoogendyk took a major step toward his goal of being the Republican nominee to unseat five-term U.S. Senator Carl Levin when he submitted petitions with 30,000 signatures, double the 15,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot.

"These thousands of voters have all made one thing clear: 30 years of high taxes, increased spending, and big government are enough" said Hoogendyk, R-Portage. "Michigan residents deserve better, and I intend to represent their desire for smaller government, balanced budgets and permanent tax relief."

Hoogendyk said after 30 years, Levin's support of failed policies have decimated Michigan.

"Sen. Levin's record on fighting for Michigan isn't as great as he'd have you think," Hoogendyk said. "Michigan continues to lose jobs, we send more tax money to D.C. than we get back, and Carl Levin has never met a tax he didn't want to increase. Michigan can't afford another six years of Carl Levin."

Hoogendyk plans to continue his statewide meetings with families, employers and job seekers to talk about his ideas to help restore a strong economy to the state.

Listen to Jack talk about his campaign on AMLansing here.

We have ten days to go and we have nearly reached our goal. Please mail in all remaining petition signatures in your possession. If you have some blank forms and want to collect a few more signatures, please do so. But, be sure to mail everything in by Wednesday, May 7 so we can compile them all in time to file on May 13.

Thanks to all of you who have worked so hard to help reach the goal of 25,000 signatures!

Petition signatures must be turned in and filed by May 13. Over 400 volunteers have been working hard to collect the needed signatures to put my name on the ballot. We are still 8,000 from our target. We need your help! If you already have petitions with signatures on them, please send them to: Jack Hoogendyk for US Senate, PO BOX 10051, Lansing MI 48901.

If you would like to help us, just just click the Get Involved tab and drop us a note with your address. We will get petitions out to you immediately.