PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP -- – Five Republican U.S Senate candidates and a fill-in for Pete Hoekstra vied for the affections of the “Ford Women” of Kent County Tuesday.

The hour-long forum at the Blythefield Country Club gave the candidates a chance to try out the lines they will be repeating for the next 10 1/2 months as they hope to knock off front-runner Hoekstra for a run at U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a two-term Democrat.

"I am Debbie Stabenow's worst nightmare," said Clark Durant, a Detroit area charter school founder who served in the Reagan Administration and the administration of Gov. John Engler.

Besides taking shots at Stabenow, the five also took shots at Hoekstra, who has captured the lion's share of GOP endorsements, including Gov. Rick Snyder and former Attorney General Mike Cox, who ran against him for governor last year.

Hoekstra, who was on a barnstorming tour of the state to officially kick off his campaign, was represented by former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, who told the 50 women in attendance that Hoekstra has the organizational strength and political savvy to knock off Stabenow.

“People realize he's the best person to beat Stabenow,” said Land. “He's going to work harder than anyone.”

Former Kent County Probate Judge Randy Hekman told the audience he could beat Stabenow by explaining his vision for a family-oriented government that will eliminate dependence on government welfare.

“If you are a member of a family and care about your family, you're going to resonate with our message,” Hekman said.

Hekman said he wants to reduce the nation's welfare system and return the responsibility to churches and non-profits. “We are pauperizing the American people. We need to put the welfare system back to where it belongs.

Gary Glenn, head of the Midland-based American Family Association, attacked

Hoekstra and Stabenow for their opposition to right-to-work laws and the support they received from the Teamsters Union in past elections.

All of the candidates said they supported Israel and opposed Muslim Sharia law.

Roscommon businessman Peter Konetchy, a Christian Scientist, said he supports limits on the number of Muslims who should be allowed to immigrate into the U.S.

“The Muslims are setting up their own little groups that don't want to assimilate,” he said. “Right now, we're at war with Islam.”

Brighton businessman Chuck Marino also participated, saying he supported a reduced tax burden for businesses and individuals. “My approach to Washington will be from a strictly business perspective,” he said.

E-mail Jim Harger: jharger@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JHHarger