Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township) said in an interview Tuesday he believes he will win Michigan's Republican gubernatorial primary, despite currently being at less than 10 percent support in the latest statewide polling done by the MIRS news service.
He says he's worked harder than his two major competitors who both hold state office, Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley and Attorney General Bill Schuette.
"It's paying dividends and I think we're going to win this," Sen. Colbeck said. "I am not blowing smoke. I see it on the ground."
At the same time, Colbeck admits he's facing a serious name identification issue. He's better-known in his district in Wayne County and is not as well-known in West Michigan. He says he can overcome it.
"It's about one-on-one relationships winning hearts and minds, and that's the way we are going to win this," Colbeck said. "That's why we are the only candidate who can win in the general election."
Colbeck is considered Michigan's most conservative Republican candidate for Governor for many different reasons as is detailed in this profile done by the Detroit Free Press. Most notably in the campaign, Colbeck drew criticism for what he said in a video about Democratic candidate for governor Abdul El-Sayed, noting that he thought El-Sayed's parents have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Colbeck received criticism from both parties for that statement, but largely, stood his ground on what he believed.
The state senator has an interesting background as an aerospace engineer. He helped design components for the International Space Station. He is currently term-limited in the Senate.
As for President Donald Trump, Colbeck says he should have had the President's support and tells us that the large majority of Trump supporters in Michigan are supporting him in the primary, not Schuette, who received President Trump's endorsement.
"I not only know what I believe but I know why I believe it," Colbeck said. "I don't think the same is true for a lot of the other candidates."
The election is coming up on Aug. 7. The candidates are all very active because absentee voting is happening right now.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WZZM 13 app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.