State and congressional candidates announce plans for November election

Thu, May 15, 2008    to del.icio.us

The deadline for declaring candidacy for state and congressional representatives has passed, and the field is now mostly set for this fall's general election.

Peter Hoekstra, R-Holland, hopes to win a ninth two-year term as congressman for Michigan's 2nd District, which includes Ottawa County. The 54-year-old incumbent will not be challenged in the August Republican primary, but he will face a new Democratic Party challenger in the Nov. 4 general election.

Hoekstra said he plans to continue leading West Michigan with a positive business environment.

"I've gotten a tremendous amount of encouragement and positive feedback in the district that they like what I'm doing in Washington," he said.

Fred Johnson, a Democrat from Holland who will challenge Hoekstra in the general election, has different ideas. Johnson, 49, believes that a fresh perspective on the process of local politics is necessary.

"After all this time, (Hoekstra) has had chances to turn around our economy and our district, and this is the best we get," he said.

Johnson believes his background in multiple industries will allow him to connect to West Michigan on a broader level. If elected, he said his first task will be addressing the health care debate.

"I intend to support policies that call for universal health care that everyone can benefit from," he said.

On the state level, West Olive Republican Arlan Meekhof, 48, is seeking re-election to the representative post he was first elected to in 2006. His state House 89th District includes the Tri-Cities area.

Meekhof said he is dedicated to passing the Great Lakes Water Compact, an effort to conserve local water and preserve beaches.

"I've been trying to listen to people at all my public events, and I understand their need for better water quality and a more competitive area," he said.

Meekhof said improving West Michigan's business appearance is also a priority.

While Meekhof is not being challenged for the Republican nomination, and moves on to the Nov. 4 general election, two Democratic challengers will face off in the Aug. 5 primary. Timothy Winslow of Spring Lake and James VanderZouwen of Allendale will seek the spot to challenge Meekhof this fall.

Winslow, 27, ran unsuccessfully for the 89th district seat two years ago as an independent. He said he plans to alleviate tax burdens on small businesses.

"I think small businesses should be the impetus to turn things around in Michigan, and the state should lower small businesses' tax burden to further encourage these businesses to grow and hire more workers," Winslow said. "To offset this loss of revenue, I would look at increasing the business tax on bigger companies already making a great amount in profits."

Winslow said he has "fresh ideas ... that could help better our state."

"I also always keep an open mind, which is an important attribute to have as the same old ideas and politics have not helped improve our situation in this state," he said.

VanderZouwen, 24, who is running for the first time, looks to his war experience and education in computer science to help him lead the district. He is studying computer science at Grand Valley State University, and was awarded a Purple Heart on his recent one-year tour of Iraq.

"I know a lot about systems, and how to make things efficient, which is something we need," Vanderzouwen said. "And when I saw what I saw in Iraq, I decided I had to do this."

As a state representative, VanderZouwen said he would address the welfare system and look for technological reform.

"We need to implement drug testing for people on welfare," he said.