Two prominent Republican presidential hopefuls will be on Mackinac Island this weekend to speak at a Michigan G.O.P. conference held every two years.
Texas Governor Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney are scheduled to speak at different events this weekend.
Romney, a native of Michigan, walks into the G.O.P. conference having carried Michigan in the last presidential primary in 2008. He already has the support of many Republican state officials.
But not everyone on Mackinac Island this weekend favors Romney. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Gary Glenn says he is not ready to endorse either presidential candidate.
"Oh, goodness no," he says. "But you know, you can't help but look at Governor Perry's record in Texas. In the last 10 years, Texas has led the nation in the creation of new manufacturing jobs."
Glenn is on the island to bolster his name recognition and, he hopes, gather more support from the Republican Party faithful. He says coming to Mackinac Island for the conference is a necessity for any and all Republicans running for statewide office in Michigan.
Friday attention on the island is on Glenn and the other the Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate.
There are campaign signs in nearly every store window and front lawn, many of them bearing the names of the expected frontrunners in the race, former congressman Pete Hoekstra or school choice advocate Clark Durant.
Former National Republican Party Committeeman Saul Anuzis supports Durant. He says the race for the G.O.P. Senate nomination is shaping up to be dominated by the two candidates.
"Whether you like it or not, you have to have the money to compete statewide, so I think that will be the first test. Obviously name ID is important, but that can be bought, and obviously that grows through the campaign," he says.
Also in the race are former judge Randy Hekman, businessman Rick Wilson, and businessman Peter Konetchy. The winner of that primary will run against U-S Senator Debbie Stabenow next year.
Governor Rick Snyder will not be on the island this weekend. He departs tomorrow a week-long Asian trade mission with stops in Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai and Seoul. He's expected to focus heavily on promoting Michigan agricultural exports on the trip.
The China leg of Snyder's trip will be the first by a Michigan governor to the country since Governor John Engler made a visit 12 years ago.
Rick Pluta contributed to this report.
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