HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The Rev. Bryan Berghoef, 44, and Holland United Church of Christ pastor, announced he’ll attempt to unseat Bill Huizenga in Michigan’s Second Congressional District. Berghoef grew up in West Michigan and vows “will restore integrity to the 2nd congressional district office,” he said in a statement emailed to media late Sunday evening.
A public launch event for Berghoef’s campaign is set for 6 p.m. Monday at Brew Merchant in Holland. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
“It’s time for all of us to be represented,” Berghoef said. “Too many people in the district have been ignored for too long because they are not wealthy enough, or don’t know the right people. The 2nd Congressional District office has been used as a platform for personal enrichment by the current Congressman. I intend to put the seat back to work for the people who live here.”
Unlike Huizenga, Berghoef vows to accept no corporate PAC money, saying “The money in politics has gotten out of control. When we allow corporations to give unlimited donations, our elections are bought and our legislation is designed and paid for by lobbyists. I won’t accept a penny from corporate lobbyists.”
This is the first run for political office for Berghoef, who grew up in Coopersville and Sparta, and is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Calvin Theological Seminary. He has been an ordained pastor since 2005, initially in the Christian Reformed Church, and presently in the United Church of Christ.
He said his faith “compels me to take action when I see my neighbors hurting, when the marginalized are ignored and mistreated, and when God’s creation is under siege.”
Berghoef is the author of Pub Theology: Beer, Conversation and God, and has been gathering with people of diverse faith and political perspectives for over 10 years, saying that “when we sit down together and listen to each other—we discover common ground and that we’re more alike than different.”
He maintains the current leadership “is moving in the wrong direction, and no longer reflects the values that I grew up with in West Michigan: empathy, compassion, honesty and welcome. If we don’t address issues like taking care of our air and water, if we don’t reign in money in politics, we are jeopardizing the future of this country and this planet for our children and our children’s children. It’s time to walk a new path, one which leads to wider flourishing for all.” Berghoef helped organize the 2018 “Families Belong Together” rally in Holland, in which over 1,000 people came out to protest the Trump administration’s policy of separating immigrant children from their families.
demographics are shifting, and our campaign is going to mobilize younger voters and people who have been sitting on the sidelines.
Bryan is married to Christy Lubbers Berghoef, a Holland native. They have four children, Henry, 16; Winston, 14; Charles, 12; and Josephine, 10.
Berghoef is endorsed by Dr. Rob Davidson, the last Democratic candidate who challenged Huizenga.
