HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga announced on WHTC he will be seeking re-election. He said papers still need to be filed, and he’ll make a formal announcement later this year.
This would be his sixth two-year term. He succeeded Rep. Peter Hoekstra in 2011. From 2003-09 he was a Michigan State Representative.
Huizenga represents Michigan’s Second Congressional District, which stretches from Lake County’s northern border to Ottawa County’s southern boundary, and includes the following cities: Allendale, Fremont, Grand Haven, Grandville, Holland, Hudsonville, Jenison, Kentwood, Ludington, Manistee, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, Norton Shores, Spring Lake, Walker, Wyoming, and Zeeland.
The Second District is considered solidly Republican, but Huizenga does have challengers: a Democrat, the Rev. Bryan Berghoef, and Green Party candidate Jean-Michel Creviere.
In past elections, he’s beaten a series of Democrats, the closest margin being in the 2018 race against Dr. Rob Davidson, 168,970 to 131,254 — the closest race Huizenga’s seen for his Congressional seas. He beat Democrat Dennis Murphy in 2016; Dean Vanderstelt in 2014; Willie German, Jr. in 2012; and a Hope College history professer, Fred Johnson, in 2010.
Huizenga is a member of the House Financial Services Committee.
He’s a former realtor and a long-time co-owner of the Jenison-based Huizenga Gravel Company. Huizenga gradated from Holland Christian High School, and Calvin College, where he majored in political science, according to his official biography.
He and his wife, Natalie, have five children.
Huizenga is one of several members of Congress, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, whose campaign finances are being investigated by the Office of Congressional Ethics.
