Dennis G. Lennox II addresses a national audience during the 2008 CPAC conference in Washington D.C.

TOPINABEE, Mich. (March 25, 2008) – Topinabee resident Dennis Lennox has announced he is taking the first steps in running for the 105th state House seat currently held by retiring Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer (R-Kewadin).

A formal committee will be announced in the coming weeks, as Elsenheimer's decision not to seek a third term was unexpected.

"Northern Michigan needs a conservative changemaker in Lansing," said Lennox. "Our economy is struggling, there's no jobs and little hope or opportunity for the next generation."

Lennox, 23, is active in Republican politics and has worked for President George W. Bush, Congressman David Camp (R-Midland) and Senate Republicans in Lansing under then-Majority Leader Ken Sikkema. He has also represented the GOP abroad – building important relationships with center-right political parties and leaders. Earlier this year, he was elected to the 2008 Republican National Convention.

At the local level, Lennox is former chairman of Citizens Against New Taxes, a coalition of community members who fought a $400,000 countywide recycling tax last year and launched a recall against a Democratic county commissioner. He is currently Young Republicans chairman for Cheboygan County and the 1st Congressional District, which comprises of 31 counties.

Before entering politics, Lennox was a professional hockey official at the junior, collegiate and minor league levels with games across the United States, Canada and even Europe.

He also worked as a sports journalist and was regularly asked to provide commentary on hockey for major news outlets, including the Associated Press, Canadian Press, BBC and Toronto Sun.

The 105th District comprises of Antrim, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Otsego counties.

On the Web: Campaign web site