GOP faithful greet Michigan candidates

Santiago Esparza / The Detroit News

Troy -- Organizers of the third annual GOP Pancakes & Politics Christmas Brunch were expecting about 150 people for Saturday's event, but instead attracted a crowd double that size as Republican Party supporters jumped at the chance to rub elbows with candidates running for statewide election.

Republican candidates for the 2010 primary for attorney general, governor and secretary of state participated in the brunch at Petruzzello's Banquet Center in Troy. A line stretched outside the center and around the building early Saturday morning as people waited for the meet-and-greet opportunity. The district Republican Party organized the event.

"We have supported the Republican Party because it is the most conservative party in the state," said Daniel MacLeish, a 67-year-old Bloomfield Hills resident who owns a construction company. "We are looking for a big change."

A straw poll at the event by the Oakland County GOP ranked Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder as the top gubernatorial candidate with 271 votes; Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, 137 votes; U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, 101 votes; state Attorney General Mike Cox, 42 votes; and state Sen. Tom George, 4 votes.

There was a buzz at the event as candidates and attendees spoke about unseating Democrats who hold key state positions or strengthening Republican hold on positions they already possess.

"Michigan, just like what happened in 2008, is looking for a change," 25-year-old Jeston Lecroix of Dearborn Heights said, referencing President Barack Obama's election. "Today gives people a chance to hear what the candidates have to say."

Rocky Raczkowski of Farmington Hills, a candidate for the 9th Congressional district, said the brunch is the kickoff of the election season for many candidates.

"It is a temperature test for who will be the best grassroots candidate," Raczkowski said.

The event also was a chance for candidates like State Rep Paul Scott, 27, who is running for secretary of state, to show off the new face of the GOP. He is young and African-American, two key demographics the Republican Party needs to win statewide and national elections, he said.

"We as a party have let the Democrats divide the party by age and race," Scott said. "We have been losing ... the African-American vote by 10 to 1 to the Democrats. It is not about emotional stereotyping. Our party is going to make significant inroads."

sesparza@detnews.com (313) 222-2320