Ottawa County Residents Face Robust Field of Candidates for Board of Commissioners Seats
Ottawa County residents will have a wide array of choices in the upcoming November election, as 33 candidates have officially filed to run for 11 Board of Commissioners seats. Each district features at least one Democrat and one Republican candidate, ensuring that the primary election in August will play a critical role in determining the final slate of contenders.
Increase in Candidate Field
This election cycle has witnessed a significant surge in candidate interest, with 33 individuals vying for positions on the Board of Commissioners. In 2022, only 26 candidates filed to run, and in previous election cycles, the number of candidates hovered around 14 to 16. Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck attributed the increased interest to conversations with constituents and the importance of the positions.
Primary Election to Determine Republican Candidates
A unique aspect of this election is that eight of the 11 county districts have multiple Republican candidates. The August primary election will serve as a crucial step in narrowing down the Republican field to one candidate per district. This marks a departure from the 2022 election, where seven districts had no Democratic candidates, effectively handing the seats to the Republican primary winners.
Key Races to Watch
Among the races to watch are those involving Ottawa Impact candidates, a group that has made significant changes in county governance since gaining a majority on the board in 2022. Both co-founders of Ottawa Impact, Joe Moss and Sylvia Rhodea, face Republican primary challengers as well as Democratic opponents.
Incumbent and Challenger Dynamics
Several incumbent commissioners are facing challenges from newcomers. In District 1, Republican incumbent Gretchen Cosby will face a primary challenge from James Barry and Chris Vander Sys, with the winner facing Democrat Danielle Smith in November. District 2 incumbent Lucy Ebel, an Ottawa Impact member, will face Republican challenger Jordan Jorritsma and Democrat Christian Kleinjans.
In District 3, incumbent Democrat Doug Zylstra will face Republican challenger Orlando Estrada, while District 4 incumbent Republican Jacob Bonnema will face Democrat Chris Crothers. District 5 will see a primary challenge to Ottawa Impact co-founder Joe Moss from Hudsonville Mayor Mark Northrup, with the winner facing Democrat Jon Rabideau in November.
Other Districts and Candidates
The remaining districts also feature competitive races. In District 6, incumbent Republican Kendra Wenzel will face Republican challenger Shawn Haff, with the winner facing Democrat Michelle Dieleman. District 7 has three candidates vying for the seat vacated by Rebekah Curran, who is running for U.S. Senate. Rachel Atwood, John Teeples, and Heather Majestic will compete in the primary election.
District 8 will see a primary challenge to Ottawa Impact co-founder Sylvia Rhodea from David Morren, with the winner facing Democrat Rebecca Patrick in November. In District 9, incumbent Republican Roger Belknap will face Democrat Angela Stanford-Butler. District 10 will have a four-way primary race between Republicans Josh Brugger, Jason Koert, and Democrats Douglas VanBennekom and Oliver Shampine. Incumbent Republican Allison Miedema will face Republicans Sara Bajema and Richard Van Dop in District 11, with the winner facing Democrat Keith Courtade in November.
Voter Engagement Encouraged
Ahead of the August primary election and the November general election, voters are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the candidates and their platforms. The League of Women Voters and local media outlets can provide valuable information on each candidate’s stance on issues. Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck emphasizes the importance of voter engagement and urges residents to actively participate in the electoral process.
