Willow Run Tea Party throws support behind Clark Durant for U.S. Senate

Durant announced the endorsement on Wednesday, saying he's honored to pick up support from the Ypsilanti-based group.

"I will fight hard for them against the big-spending status quo in Washington," he said in a statement. "I look forward to working with them to defeat Senator Stabenow, and put our country back on a track of individual freedom and economic stability."

Dan Benefiel, co-director of the Tea Party group, said Durant won the endorsement because he has the best combination of experience and strong conservative positions, and many felt he is the best person to defeat Stabenow and "go get things done in Washington."

Durant, of Grosse Pointe Farms, has endorsements from several Michigan Tea Party groups now. He's the co-founder and former CEO of Cornerstone charter schools.

A new poll last week showed Stabenow continuing to hold a 9 percent edge against Hoekstra and an 11 percent edge against Durant in individual showdowns.

Other Republican candidates, former Kent County Probate Judge Randy Hekman and American Family Association-Michigan President Gary Glenn, were not placed in a matchup against the Democratic incumbent in the poll, according to an MLive.com report.

Hoekstra, Durant and Stabenow appeared at a candidate forum on Mackinac Island last month and discussed regional transit, with Stabenow more enthusiastic about the possibilities.