[3] Baron apparently failed to qualify for the August 5, 2008 party primary ballot in the Michigan Secretary of State's office.

On October 19 WGVU Public television hosted a Senatorial debate to which only Democratic Senator Carl Levin and Republican State Representative Jack Hoogendyk were invited.

[24] The event, which was moderated by WZZM TV 13's News anchor Peter Ross, was met with protest by supporters of excluded candidates.

[28] Senator Carl Levin and State Representative Jack Hoogendyk met again, the following day (October 20), for a forum hosted by the Detroit Economic Club.

He also became the first Democratic Senator since Donald Riegle in 1982 to carry Kent County, home of Grand Rapids.