Michigan 2nd District - WKTV Journal

State of Michigan 2nd District U.S. House of Representatives

Michigan’s 2nd District of U.S. House of Representatives includes Lake, Oceana, Newaygo, Muskegon and Ottawa counties as well as portions of Allegan, Mason and Kent counties including the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood. For a district map, click here.

Three candidates are running in the Nov. 6 General election. They are, in alphabetical order, Democratic candidate Dr. Rob Davidson, U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate Ronald Graeser and Republican Incumbent Bill Huizenga.

Dr. Rob Davidson (D), candidate, U.S. Congress 2nd District

Name: Dr. Rob Davidson

Party: Candidate, Democrat

Occupation: Emergency room physician

Why did you decide to run for the 2nd District U.S. House of Representatives seat?

I decided to run because I realized that congress needs more representatives who are not influenced by special interest money and are instead focused on serving their constituents. After attending town halls with Congressman Bill Huizenga … I came to the realization that his votes on critical issues such as healthcare and the economy often aligned with the interests of big businesses and wealthy special interests instead of the interests of the people in his district.

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?

Healthcare. I would immediately join current members in supporting legislation HR676: Expanded and Improved Medicare For All. Too many Americans cannot afford health insurance, and too many who do have health insurance struggle with high deductibles and copays.

Rep. Bill Huizenga (R), incumbent, U.S. Congress 2nd District

Name: Rep. Bill Huizenga

Party: Incumbent, Republican

Occupation: U.S. Congressman

Why did you decide to run for the 2nd District U.S. House of Representatives seat?

I want to create a better future for all of West Michigan. As Congressman, I have led bipartisan efforts to preserve and protect the Great Lakes while also working to provide real solutions that remove government barriers, lower taxes for middle class families, and increase opportunity for hardworking individuals across West Michigan.

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?

I was elected to Congress based on three key principles: create jobs, stop spending, and protect life. These principles still define my role in Congress.

Note: Contact information was not available for U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate Ronald Graeser to invite him to participate in the We the People candidate profiles.

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Wyoming’s incumbent State Rep. Tommy Brann (R-77th District) and the City of Kentwood’s incumbent State Rep. Steve Johnson (R-72nd District) each cruised to easy victories in their respective Republican primaries in voting Tuesday, Aug. 7.

In state Senate primary voting, former state representative and ex-Gov. Rick Snyder cabinet member Aric Nesbitt won a three-way battle in the Republican primary for the State Senate 26th District seat, which represents Kentwood. Also, incumbent State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District), running unopposed for a seat which represents Wyoming, now knows who he will be opposed by on the Democratic side, retired public-school teacher Craig Beech.

Also now set for the Nov. 6 general election ballot is the two local U.S. Congressional races.

Incumbent Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-2nd District) will be opposed by Democrat Dr. Rob Davidson — no surprise as both were unopposed in the primary — in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched federal races in the state.

And incumbent Rep. Justin Amash (R-3rd District) will be opposed by Democrat Cathy Albro, who defeated Fred Wooden in the Democratic primary.

Election results, by the numbers

According to the Kent County election website at accesskent.com, following are the election results for each candidate for their entire voting district:

In the State House of Representatives Republican primary for the 77th District, which covers the City of Wyoming, Byron Township and a portion of Cutlerville (for a district map, click here), incumbent Rep. Brann totaled 8,974 while Jordan T. Oesch had 814. On the Democratic primary side, Dana Knight totaled 3,943 while Robert Van Kirk had 1,996. Unopposed Libertarian candidate Patty Malowney had 74 votes.

In the State House of Representatives Republican primary for the 72nd District, which covers the cities of Kentwood and Wayland, along with a portion of Cutlerville and the community of Dorr (for a district map, click here), Rep. Johnson totaled 5,971 while Jennifer Antel had 1,806. Unopposed Democratic candidate Ron Rraayer had 6,067 votes and Libertarian candidate Jamie Lewis had 52.

In the State Senate Republican primary for the 26th District, which includes the City of Kentwood along with all of Allegan and Van Buren counties (for a district map, click here), Nesbitt totaled 4,041 while Bob Genetski had 2,331 and Don Wickstra had 1,379. Unopposed Democratic candidate Garnet Lewis gained 6,101 votes and Libertarian candidate Erwin Haas gained 49.

In the State Senate Democratic primary for the 28th District, which includes the City of Wyoming as well as the cities of Walker, Rockford and Cedar Springs (for a district map, click here), Beech totaled 7,688 while Gidget Groendyk had 6,444 and Ryan Jeanette had 4,427. Unopposed Republican incumbent Sen. MacGregor had 30,476 votes and Libertarian candidate Nathan Hewer gained 224.

On the Federal election side, in the 2nd District, Rep. Huizenga totaled 14,219 votes while Democratic challenger Davidson had 12,445. In the 3rd District, Rep. Amash totaled 44,304 while Democrats Albro had 30,969 votes and Wooden had 14,808.