As Mitt Romney celebrates his first birthday since his failed try for the White House, his brother Scott is the one getting the birthday present.
Scott Romney leads a new poll of potential Republican candidate for Michigan's soon to be empty Senate seat. Current Democratic Sen. Carl Levin plans to retire in 2014.
The elder Romney, a lawyer, served on the Michigan State Board of Trustees for years and ran unsuccessfully for state attorney general in 1998. Romney leads the Conservative Intel poll conducted by Harper Polling with 26% support followed by Congressman Mike Rogers at 17%, and further behind by Tea Party Congressman Justin Amash with 11%.
Whether Scott Romney will run or not is not yet clear. A Roll Call report quoted a GOP source as saying he is "looking at" running.
Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm leads the pack for Democrats with her strong name recognition. Granholm, who won the attorney general race that Romney failed to secure, also leads all potential Republican opponents, including Romney. Her problem, were she to run, would be her image. Slightly more Michiganders view her unfavorably (47% to 43% favorable).
Levin's departure leaves Democrats with a fourth open seat to defend next year, with fellow Sens. Tom Harkin, Frank Lautenberg, and Jay Rockefeller planning to retire as well.