September 30, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:

Dave Mroz

david.mroz@teamhoekstra.com

Director of Operations

Hoekstra for Governor

248-804-1612

HOLLAND, September 25, 2009 - U.S. Rep. and former Fortune 500 business executive Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, today announced the addition of three experienced and prominent figures in Michigan politics in his campaign to become Michigan's next governor.

National Committeewoman Holly Hughes, former Michigan House Speaker Craig DeRoche and John Truscott, Director of Communications for former Governor John Engler, today all announced their support for Hoekstra prior to the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference.

"Holly, Craig and John all bring with them a wealth of experience and success in public service," Hoekstra said. "I wholeheartedly welcome their support for my campaign to begin turning Michigan around and again reach its once-enviable status."

Hughes is currently serving her second term as Michigan Committeewoman to the RNC, served three terms as White River Township Trustee and is a former member of the Montague Area Public School Board. She is a small business owner working in property management, and her husband is CEO of Master Tag in Montague.

"Pete Hoekstra has proven himself an innovative leader as a U.S. Congressman and Vice President of Marketing at Herman Miller," Hughes said. "He is the most qualified candidate, possessing the vision and ideas to lift Michigan back off of the ground."

DeRoche's current focus is on insurance consulting, marketing and technology for multiple carriers in many states. In 2002, DeRoche was elected State Representative. In 2004, his colleagues unanimously elected him Speaker of the House in the Michigan House of Representatives. At the time he was the youngest House Speaker in Michigan's history and in the country. In his 19 years of involvement in politics, DeRoche has helped hundreds of people get elected to office and to become successful in bringing a positive change to their community, school or state.

"Serving as Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives provided me with a unique perspective on those who are capable and motivated to make a positive difference, and Pete possesses those traits," DeRoche said. "I am excited to offer him my experience and commitment to helping him win in 2010."

Truscott, one of the foremost experts in the area of public relations and politics in Michigan, is joining Team Hoekstra as a consultant regarding communications, strategy and policy issues. Having served Governor Engler and worked on the Senate and House staff, he possesses a depth of knowledge and breadth of experience few can match.

Since 2001 Truscott has been the President of the John Truscott Group, one of the leading public relations and management firms in Michigan. He has consistently been recognized for his expertise and knowledge and, more importantly, for his ability to get the job done.

"Having served for one of Michigan's most successful Governors, I know firsthand Michigan's issues and how effective leaders respond to them," Truscott said. "I see that same level of leadership, enthusiasm and desire in Pete to not stand idly by but instead work hard to return Michigan to its rightful spot among our country's leading states to live and do business."

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For more information on Pete Hoekstra visit HoekstraforGovernor.com

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P.O. Box 1287
Holland, MI 49422