Former state Rep. Andrew Raczkowski (R) may seek a rematch with Sen. Carl Levin (D), who beat him handily in 2002.

Raczkowski told a gathering of state Republican leaders over the weekend that he has set up an exploratory committee for a possible run.

According to The Associated Press, Raczkowski promised a different campaign this time. He has served in Iraq in the U.S. Army Reserve since the previous campaign, and he told the AP that he now considers himself less of a Republican and more of an advocate for soldiers and Michiganders who have been hurt by the state’s troubled economy.

Levin, who was first elected in 1978, beat Raczkowski by 23 points five years ago, even though it was a strong Republican year. If Raczkowski runs this time, he may not have the Republican field to himself: State Rep. Jack Hoogendyk (R), who briefly ran for governor in 2006 before pulling the plug, said he is considering entering the race.

— Josh Kurtz