U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Holland) was the only Michigan representative not to vote on the most recent extension of unemployment benefits.

The bill passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. All Michigan Democrats voted for the bill. Republicans were split -- Vern Ehlers and three other Republicans voted for it; Republicans Dave Camp and Candice Miller were the only Michigan reps who said no.

The blog Think Progress reports Hoekstra, who is campaigning for governor, missed the vote because he was at a country-club fundraiser in Muskegon. He also did not vote on a bill extending unemployment insurance earlier this week.

The Michigan Messenger posted the invitation to the event, which carried a VIP price tag of $250 a plate, and makes sport of the slogan on the letterhead: "On the job for Michigan."

Recent polling shows Hoekstra trailing Attorney General Mike Cox in the race for the Republican nomination. With Republicans divided on the issue of unemployment benefits, is Hoekstra playing it safe by skipping the vote?

