INCUMBENTS
Hillary Scholten
3rd Congressional District
Hillary’s story starts in West Michigan, where she was born and raised. Her mother was a Grand Rapids Public School teacher, and her father worked as a local reporter for the Grand Rapids Press. Through their work, Hillary was introduced to people who didn’t have their voices heard or their stories told by the decision-makers in their lives.
Their work and stories of these families inspired Hillary’s own career in public service, first as a social worker helping individuals facing homelessness, and then as an attorney. She served our country in the U.S. Department of Justice, where she took an oath to uphold our Constitution, and worked to create fair and moral laws.
Hillary’s dedication to service inspired her to bring her knowledge and experience back home to West Michigan, where she serves her community as an attorney, a deacon in her church, and an engaged neighbor. She and her husband, Jesse, a local college professor, are raising their two rambunctious boys right around the corner from where her grandfather grew up.
Now, Hillary understands that the most important issues facing West Michigan – healthcare, protecting a woman's right to choose, and boosting the bottom line for hard-working families – are all on the line. With her experience as a public interest attorney and her lifelong value of service equipping and inspiring her, she is ready to become her community’s voice in Washington.
Doug Zylstra
3rd District County Commissioner
Doug Zylstra was elected to the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners in 2018. to represent the city of Holland. As county Commissioner, his goal is to continue to work to fulfill our mission of making Ottawa County a place where we all belong.
Chris Kleinjans
2nd District County Commission
As a native Hollander and longtime resident of District 2, Chris Kleinjans has a deep understanding of the district's unique opportunities and challenges. He is a 1986 graduate of Holland High School and a veteran, having served honorably in the U.S. Navy for four years. After returning home and marrying his wife, Sarah, Kleinjans went back to college on the GI Bill. He and Sarah moved to the District 2 area nearly 30 years ago, where they raised their two boys. They have one grandchild.
Kleinjans has a 25-year history of working in the nonprofit sector, including in his current position as a community nutrition instructor. His lifetime commitment to service extends to the wider community as well. He is a volunteer with the Ottawa County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and as a member of the board of Community Mental Health of Ottawa County (CMHOC) and the Advisory Board of Ottawa Food. Kleinjans is also a member of the American Legion and VFW.
“District 2 is the crossroads of the county, with a high degree of diversity in many aspects,” Kleinjans said. “With that comes an understanding of what it takes to strive for a better future. We know how to work, and we know what works. People with this much hustle and this much strength deserve representation equal to their aspirations.”
CANDIDATES
Danielle Smith
Ottawa County Commission, District 1
Danielle Smith is committed to promoting fiscal responsibility and ethical governance, reinvesting in health services, and restoring our County’s reputation as a place where all people belong. She pledges to participate in healthy and respectful dialogue and debate across party lines to effect positive change.
Becky Patrick
Ottawa County Commission, District 8
Becky Patrick is, in the words of the Holland Sentinel, “arguably one of the most civically engaged citizens in Ottawa County in 2023.” This civic engagement led her to declare her candidacy for the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, representing District 8, Allendale Township.
She is the former West Michigan Regional Director for the Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality. She is running to restore trust and fiscal responsibility in county government, and to make progress on things like mental health and groundwater/drinking water availability that affect many county residents.
Chris Crothers
Ottawa County Commission, District 4
Chris Crothers is running to restore responsible governance to Ottawa County. Together we can move on from our current dysfunctional board and build a more inclusive, transparent, fiscally responsible, and equitable future for our community.
Angela Stanford-Butler
Ottawa County Commission, District 9
Two years after Ottawa Impact took office, our county is worse for wear. I'm one of many who have decided it's time to stand up and take our county back. Back to good governance, transparency and sound financial decision making. We need to work for everyone in Ottawa County, not just for some. We need to win in November to stabilize our local government before the current chaos and rampant spending endangers our hard won AAA bond rating, protect our health department so that they can protect our community and get back to the job of planning for the future.
Michelle Dieleman
Ottawa County Commission, District 6
I love my community and believe in the principle of service. I am running as a moderate Democrat, because I am deeply concerned about the erosion of our county’s integrity and reputation as a result of the current board’s leadership. I believe in democratic representation and that you deserve a choice in this election.
Douglas VanBennekom
Ottawa County Commission, District 10
Douglas VanBennekom grew up in Grand Haven and attended Grand Haven Area Public Schools. He graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in History and Criminal Justice. His goals for Ottawa County are to make affordable housing more available, improve infrastructure and improve long term environmental plans which will help our communities by encouraging tourism and help our residents maintain our homes, businesses and economy
Michael Lynch
2nd Congressional District
Michael Lynch resides and works in Gratiot County and is the proud father of one daughter. Michael spent his childhood living in various places with his father, an Air Force officer, and his mother who was a Marine. Michael is a manager with the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan and has earned several teaching awards for his work as a lecturer and instructor at universities including DePaul University, West Virginia University and Georgetown University. He is an Eagle Boy Scout and his political experience includes campaigning for Jimmy Carter, Michael Dukakis, Al Gore, and Bill Clinton. A lifelong advocate for working- and middle-class families, Michael Lynch supports affordable health care, labor/unions, the right to choose, and responsible gun legislation.
Salim Al-Shatel
3rd Congressional District
Hello, I'm Salim Al-Shatel, and I'm deeply passionate about making a difference in our community through politics. My journey in politics began with a desire to create positive change and ensure that every voice is heard.
Born, and raised, in West Michigan, I witnessed firsthand the impact of effective governance on people’s lives. This inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to public service. Whether it was growing up in Muskegon, building my business in Grand Haven, or living in Grand Rapids I have benefited from all that West Michigan has to offer. I have always felt at home here, in West Michigan.
Jessica Swartz
4th Congressional District
West Michiganders just want to live our lives - we wake up every day, work hard, play by the rules, earn enough to put food on our kitchen tables, and treat our families to something special every once in a while. Our government should be working to cut costs and help working families keep more of what they earn, but all we get from Washington politicians is partisan extremism and gridlock.
There is more that unites us than divides us. I believe we all agree that no matter who you are or where you come from, if you work hard you deserve a shot at the American dream.
Danene Shumaker
Michigan State House, 43rd District
Danene has lived in West Michigan nearly all her life. She’s run businesses profitably since she was in her 20’s, while raising a smart, loving daughter. She volunteers her time and resources for change, previously focusing on helping young leaders learn to serve. More recently she’s focusing on helping keep folks housed in Allegan county. She’s a proud gun owner who enjoys target practice, and believes in hunting, responsible gun ownership and common-sense laws. She is a former election official, and a published author with a Master of Education. She loves Jesus, cusses more than a little, believes in religious freedom, and most importantly, the separation of church and state!
Marcia Mansaray
Michigan State House, 85th District
As Deputy Health Officer in one of Michigan's fastest-growing counties, Marcia Mansaray has earned the public’s trust and appreciation — for her integrity, her experience, and her heart for people.
Abby Klomparens
Michigan State House, 86th District
Abby grew up in Holland watching the two most important people in her life committed to the well-being of our community. Both her parents are beloved retired educators in Holland Public Schools. Her father, Wayne, was a long-time Holland City Councilmember.
Abby’s own career has centered on public engagement. She has served at the local, state, and federal levels of government, and is now ready to represent us in Lansing as the next State Representative for District 86. We can count on her fresh perspective, true engagement, and committed advocacy to community issues that matter to every family in greater Holland.
Tim Meyer
Michigan State House, 88th District
I recently asked a couple dozen people to name their state Representative-not a single person got it right! For decades, this gerrymandered district has been represented by someone who didn’t make waves or good policy but was backed by wealthy donors with specific interests. Thanks to the volunteers who put Proposal 2 of 2018 on the ballot, we have a new district, created by a citizens' commission, centered on the Tri-Cities, Norton Shores and the surrounding area.
You see me at First Presbyterian Church, my kids went to area schools with your kids, and you see me riding my bike on Lakeshore Drive. I’m easy to reach as a candidate, I listen, and I promise to be available to you as your Representative.
Lois Maassen
Michigan State House, 89th District
My name is Lois Maassen. My campaign slogan is “One Future | Together” because we do share this community, this district, this state, this country. We can decide to work together, to understand each other–whether or not we agree, and to find innovative solutions to the issues that we face. That’s the goal of democracy on its best days, and we can revitalize that aspiration. We can stop picking at the scabs of cultural hot buttons and begin to imagine, together, the future we all want for the next generation and the one after that.
Are you interested in running for office? Do you know someone who would be an ideal candidate? Contact us at runforoffice@ottawadems.com and let us know!
The Ottawa County Democratic Party is actively recruiting candidates for the upcoming election cycle. Give Ottawa progressives a choice on future ballots and #DaretoRun!