By TNC Tech on Sep 26, 2024

Meet the Republicans running for the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners

This election cycle has seen a deep rift within the local Republican Party, with the OI-controlled county GOP bucking tradition when it endorsed OI-backed candidates over traditional Republicans.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of two stories highlighting the candidates for Ottawa County commissioner. A previous story listed the Democrats.

OTTAWA COUNTY — Much fanfare was made over the Republican primary election cycle in Ottawa County this year, with five of 10 Ottawa Impact county commission candidates losing to traditional conservative challengers.

The far-right fundamentalist group, formed in 2021 over frustrations with county and state COVID-19 mitigation measures, currently has a six-seat controlling majority on the 11-member board and made a series of controversial decisions in 2023 that led to five lawsuits within 14 months and a brief investigation from the Michigan Attorney General's Office.

The election cycle of 2024 has seen a deep rift within the local Republican Party, with the OI-controlled county GOP bucking tradition when it endorsed OI-backed candidates over traditional Republicans — then denouncing the non-OI conservatives and demanding they drop out of their respective races.

Even after most of the OI candidates lost, the party has refused to endorse the non-OI Republicans in the general election.

Although OI is nearly assured to lose its controlling majority on the board of commissioners, local Republicans still face Democrats in the general election.

Stakes for county elections are higher than ever across Michigan in 2024 after a change in state law lengthens terms for commissioners from two years to four.

Here’s a breakdown of the Republicans running for the board of commissioners:

District 1: Jim Barry

Includes: Port Sheldon Township, Olive Township, Park Township Precincts: 1-3, 5-7

Barry, the half-brother of longtime U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, has worked as Huizenga’s campaign manager and in real estate.

In December, he interviewed for the county treasurer position after Amanda Price announced her retirement, but deputy clerk Cheryl Clark was appointed to the post. Shortly afterward, Barry announced his bid for District 1.

Barry first defeated OI Republican Gretchen Cosby in the August primary (Cosby has since launched a write-in campaign as an independent), and now faces Democrat Danielle Smith, who is running for the seat for a second time.

In his interview for the treasurer post, Barry told a panel of officials he jumped into local politics after he became concerned over the past year's county-level politics.

"It’s fair to say there’s some broad concern of some governance of the county," Barry said. "I think there’s some fallout that needs to be worked through with the health department, obviously, and some budgetary issues and some expenditures that are happening."

He said "traditional Republicans" have been marginalized within the county GOP, adding he's "among the Republicans ... dismissed when the new regime came through." Barry is part of an ancillary group, Conservative Ottawa, that he says has given displaced conservatives "a political home."

"There were a lot of traditional Republicans and grassroots volunteers involved with the party for a long time" who were "sort of excused" once Ottawa Impact and its supporters took control of the party, Barry said.

"And people still care about these issues, about conservative issues, and they want good government," Barry said. "I don't consider what Ottawa Impact does as traditional Republican values or our way of doing things."

Barry said he'd like to see a return to the historical Republican platform.

"When I think Republican, I think fiscal conservative, I think law and order," Barry said. "You want lower taxes, but you want good services for the tax dollars you do pay, and I think there's an expectation for some competent, steady leadership."

Barry is a licensed associate real estate broker and serves as treasurer of the Huizenga-owned Cottages at Riverbend in Zeeland.

For more information about Barry, visit electjimbarry.com.

District 2: Jordan Jorritsma

Includes: Holland Charter Township Precincts 1-4, 6-8 and 11, Park Township Precinct 4

Jorritsma decided to run after watching how Ottawa Impact was managing the board of commissioners.

"I started paying attention to what was going on, and it just didn't sit right with me," Jorritsma said. "Even from the first day — just the tactics that were used specifically, and some of the rhetoric that was used — just didn't sit right with me at all."

Jorritsma defeated OI Republican Lucy Ebel in the August primary and will face Democrat incumbent Chris Kleinjans — who beat Ebel in a special recall election in May after a successful citizen-led drive.

Jorritsma said he's running on three pillars: trust, community and common sense.

"I think trust has been lost between the county and county residents. I think they've tried to contort the definition of community and almost pit groups of people against each other," he said of the board's current majority. "We have an amazing community here. Ottawa County is exceptional; we should be in the news because we're one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, and we have absolutely amazing economic development going on."

Restoring a sense of community, he said, is paramount.

"I think people are just really fed up with the lack of common sense," he said. "It's transparency, it's accountability, it's good governance, it's being willing to work with anybody and being willing to listen."

At just 25, Jorritsma might be young, but he's been working in politics for years.

The graduate of Holland Christian attended Calvin University in Grand Rapids. He works as the legislative director for Republican State Rep. Curt VanderWall, of Ludington, who represents Michigan's 102nd District.

He said, if nothing else, he hopes Ottawa County residents now understand the importance of local races.

"Freedom is one generation away from destruction. Here, stability is one bad majority away from going away; our AAA bond rating is one silly group of people away from falling and putting us in economic chaos," he said. "Government is boring if it's doing its job."

If he were to win, Jorritsma said, he would be a proponent of returning the board to fiscal responsibility.

"I've been knocking doors and people are saying, 'Hey, this current group, they're not conservative. They're certainly not fiscal conservatives.' ... It doesn't seem like there's been much conserving going on."

He said that's evidenced by a mass exodus of county employees and controversial hires.

"From a staff perspective, we're losing talent. We haven't been putting forward the principle of meritocracy. It's been much more cronyism and idealism. ... That's a huge issue for me — fiscal irresponsibility."

To learn more about Jorritsma, visit jordanjorritsma.com.

District 3: Orlando Estrada

Includes: City of Holland

Estrada has run for several offices in the past, including as a write-in candidate for Holland City Council in 2023.

Estrada has repeatedly said publicly he’s a Republican, but not affiliated with Ottawa Impact. However, he has been complimentary of the current board majority.

“My thought on this current board leadership is they are really good at getting a lot of attention, (whether) it's intentional or not (and) trying new things at the county level, which is unique,” he told The Holland Sentinel.

Estrada said he would like to see more efficiency in meetings and would like to see the comment feature for live-streamed meetings restored (they were disabled in 2023 with little explanation from the county.)

Estrada also has advocated for the responsible rollout of cameras after the county greenlit the devices for the Ottawa County Sheriff’s police force.

“I want to make sure deputies with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office have cameras on their persons and vehicles, so people are not falsely accused,” he said.

Estrada will face Democratic incumbent Doug Zylstra, who is running for a third term.

For more information on Estrada, visit vote4orlando.com.

District 4: Jacob Bonnema

Includes: City of Zeeland, Holland Charter Township Precincts: 5, 9-10 and 12, Zeeland Charter Township Precincts: 1-3

The Zeeland Republican took office in January 2023 as a member of Ottawa Impact, but publicly split from the group just two months later after several clashes with board Chair Joe Moss, the founder of OI, and former administrator John Gibbs.

Bonnema admits it hasn't always been easy working with OI commissioners.

"The year started off very rocky," he said of 2023. "We campaigned saying we were going to govern with the least force, that we were going to be transparent, and that we were going to operate with good governance. To me, that means following policy and using subcommittees to craft actionable policy that is clear and concise, so that it informs the community of what we're hoping to accomplish — identifying shared goals and working towards them together."

But the controversial decisions made Jan. 3 — during a meeting he wasn't present for — set a precedent Bonnema found counterintuitive to what the group stood for.

"I want to bring back the processes that led us to become one of the top counties in the state, to attract the brightest and most talented leaders ... and I want to do that with a team that wants to submit themselves to that kind of process," he said.

Part of that, he noted, is thinking things through.

"We need to slow down. Like the old saying 'measure twice, cut once,' let's stop making unforced errors and stop acting in such a way that invites endless lawsuits and continue to work to reach across the aisle because everyone who is a member of Ottawa County deserves to be served in a fair and excellent manner."

Bonnema has clashed with Board Chair Joe Moss several times, leading to a formal censure. Moss also removed Bonnema as vice chair of the finance and administration subcommittee last year.

This year, Moss appointed Bonnema to only one subcommittee: talent and recruitment. Bonnema said it's been challenging to make sure his constituents' voices are heard.

"The way things end up on the agenda for the board meeting is it first passes through a standing committee," he said. "So, by removing or reducing the voices of the commissioners that represent districts (on committees), you're doing a disservice to those voters — their voices are essentially being disenfranchised."

Bonnema said Moss' decision to restrict assignments for commissioners from Holland, Zeeland and Grand Haven "greatly affects the ability for the county to fully appreciate and understand" constituents.

Bonnema said it's unfortunate the GOP — nationally and locally — can't come together to move forward as a unified party.

"I think we have definitely lost our way as a party," he said. "We need to do some self-introspection to figure out if the path we're currently on can lead to any kind of victories in the future. We are cutting our nose off to spite our face."

Bonnema wants his constituents to know he's an independent thinker and experienced professional.

"I am a family man with over 25 years of board experience. I'm the incumbent and I'm not part of Ottawa Impact," he said.

For more information, visit jacobbonnema.com.

District 5: Joe Moss

Includes: Blendon Township, City of Hudsonville, Jamestown Charter Township, Zeeland Charter Township: Precinct 4

Moss has never responded to this reporter’s multiple requests for comment since January 2023.

In June, he responded to a candidate questionnaire from The Sentinel, where he said: “The board is led by courageous, conservative parents who stepped into the public square to protect their kids and prioritize the Constitution. Our passion is to promote freedom, protect everyone's God-given rights and preserve the heritage of our American values. I am thankful parents are leading in Ottawa County.”

On areas he would like to see improvement, Moss said: “Ottawa County needs truthful journalism that doesn't print fake news and biased articles. At the county, there are opportunities to continue investing in Community Mental Health, especially related to autism and self-directed care that supports parents caring for their kids.”

On his priorities for a new term, Moss said: “County government is responsible for core government services, especially public safety and protecting the constitutional rights of the people. Ottawa County will continue to prioritize conservative fiscal policy, low taxes, and a balanced budget to meet our short-term and long-term goals.”

On the closure of the county’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department that Ottawa Impact championed in January 2023, Moss said: “Ottawa County will continue to prioritize excellence and merit over DEI ideology, and treat all individuals with kindness and respect. As the Heritage Foundation said on June 13, ‘Racism in 2024 is spelled DEI.’ Diversity and inclusion are beautiful words that bring value to our relationships and communities. DEI is a left-wing ideology that promotes divisive teachings. DEI has no place in government and should be abolished from all government institutions. Thankfully, it is being removed from governments and corporations nationwide as Americans come to understand why it is so damaging.”

Moss defeated traditional Republican Mark Northrup in the August primary. He will face Democrat Jon Rabideau in the general election.

For more information, visit joemoss.com.

District 6: Kendra Wenzel

Includes: Georgetown Charter Township Precincts: 9-17

Wenzel did not respond to this reporter’s request for a profile interview.

A member of Ottawa Impact, she was appointed by the county board in December to after former commissioner Kyle Terpstra unexpectedly resigned.

An executive committee member of the Ottawa County GOP, Wenzel has been an Ottawa County Republican precinct delegate since August 2022. According to her website, she is a sales consultant and client support specialist.

Wenzel defeated traditional Republican Shawn Haff in the August primary. She will face Democrat Michelle Dieleman in the general election.

For more information, visit kendrawenzel.com.

District 7: John Teeples

Includes: Georgetown Charter Township Precincts: 1-8

John Teeples said he never aspired to enter into politics, but that circumstances in Ottawa County couldn’t be ignored.

“We have to all remind ourselves that we have a responsibility to live for the greater good — that we have a higher responsibility than just to ourselves,” he said. “And sometimes there's some causes that you need to take that stand on. And hopefully, it makes a difference.”

“This is not something I ever anticipated doing,” Teeples said. “But somebody has to stand up, and I know I have the skills and the experience to help make a difference. So, I don't want to live with regrets. I want to do what I can to help.”

The attorney who specializes in business, employment and estate planning is running after watching the Ottawa Impact-controlled board of commissioners making what he calls “impulsive, self-interested and uninformed decisions based on emotion and inexperience.”

“Twice in my legal career, I fired clients who I thought crossed the line of ethics. One was a client that was 50% of my billings at the time, but they crossed the line for me — because you can't compromise ethics and honesty. And what I saw, what the county commission did, on that Jan. 3, 2023, meeting, I would have fired them as a client,” he said.

District 7 is an open seat this cycle after Republican incumbent Rebekah Curran opted to not seek re-election. Teeples beat OI Republican Rachel Atwood in the Republican primary (who has since launched a write-in campaign as an independent) and will face Democrat Heather L. Majestic.

“They didn't violate the law, but we're judged not just on the law, but on the appearance of an ethical violation, whether it's a violation or not,” Teeples said, alluding to Open Meetings Act violation allegations made over the Jan. 2, 2023, meeting. “In my mind, they cross that ethical violation clearly. And that was enough for me. And then I started seeing everything else and with the wasted decisions they're making to exclude people, to run up huge legal fees because of decisions and impulsive actions.”

Teeples describes himself as a social and fiscal conservative who is compassionate toward his fellow residents.

“I'm an absolute Republican,” he said, “but I'm a pragmatist and a consensus builder. I believe in fiscal conservatism. I'm pro-life, but I'm also compassionate. I’m not a bigot. I’m not prudish. As an elected official, it's just not my way or the highway of doing things because the community's not that way. You’ve got to represent everybody as best you can and be respectful.”

If elected, Teeples said he wants to see commissioners come together to get things back on track.

“Given our lack of trust on both sides, I think we invite each other to dinner. We get to know each other. We have to listen to each other; we have to be open to each other,” he said.

A certified mediator with the local courts, Teeples said he has extensive experience in bridging gaps between views and perspectives.

“You don't trust your neighbor, you don't trust the guy down the street if you're sitting back and just judging and assuming that person has a perspective because of how they look or act or vote,” he said. “But if you invite him to dinner or coffee, you have a different perspective of that person. And it provides an opportunity for dialogue and understanding, even if there's continued disagreement, which is often the case, but that's OK.”

Teeples said he would go into the office with an open mind.

“I believe in the inherent goodness of people,” he said. “Now, I can be swayed otherwise when I find someone is acting against that — I’m not naive. But I believe in the inherent goodness of people if they're led without a view of what separates us, but more of what we have in common.”

One of his priorities is to work with community stakeholders to attract talent for local businesses.

“When the businesses in West Michigan are asking our county government to help them promote equity and diversity, I get it, because we need that talent,” he said. “And if young people don't want to move to West Michigan, for whatever reason — especially the ideologies — we need to wake up for that, because that affects everybody. It affects the business owner that's looking for good employees, it affects property values.”

He said, like it or not, DEI principles are an important part of that conversation.

“Maybe the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department wasn't the right mechanism to make that happen, but the truth is still the truth,” he said. “We need to be more mindful of getting our young people here with more diversity. You can't just say, ‘Well, then move or leave.’”

A huge proponent of pragmatism, Teeples said OI might have slick words, but the decisions don’t match up.

“People have been misled on who Ottawa Impact is,” he said. “Actions speak louder than words. You can write all the beautiful rhetoric and have all the beautiful statements that we're getting out of the Republican Party controlled by Ottawa Impact right now. But the reason you can't support it is because you can look at their actions and to see if they run true Republican positions.

“Do they run with less government? No, they do not, actually. Do they operate under more transparency of government? No, it's just the opposite. They're hiding and making decisions. Do they make conservative decisions that are fiscally monetarily conservative? No, they do just the opposite. So my problem is that their actions tell me exactly who they are. … And I can't support that at all.”

He said all is not lost in Ottawa County’s current politically divisive state.

“We're a little confused right now, but we're not lost,” he said. “I think the election will tell us where we are. And, hopefully, we get back on the right course.”

For more information, visit johnteeples.com.

District 8: Sylvia Rhodea

Includes: Allendale Charter Township

Rhodea has never responded to this reporter’s multiple requests for comment since January 2023.

In June, she responded to a candidate questionnaire from The Sentinel, where she said: “The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners is led by courageous, conscientious parents who entered the public square to defend their piece of America and protect their kids. We desire to promote freedom, preserve American values, protect against government overreach, promote the good and the beautiful in Ottawa County, and lead with courage and discernment in county policies and oversight.”

On her priorities for a new term, Rhodea said: “The county is working to meet expanding mental health needs, especially (with) an increasing number of children with autism and (intellectually or developmentally disabled) adults aging out of the educational system; as well as supporting the families who care for them. Ottawa County continues to experience challenges with groundwater, affordable home ownership, long-term energy solutions, and childcare, and (the board) remains watchful of ways to help. Our county needs truthful journalism. To that end, Ottawa County needs to strengthen its direct communication with the people.”

On the closure of the county’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department that Ottawa Impact championed in January 2023, Rhodea said: “Excellence and merit should be prioritized over identity characteristics in county interactions and hiring, treating all individuals with kindness and respect. Diversity and inclusion are beautiful words which bring value to our relationships and communities. However, DEI is a progressive ideology which promotes divisive teachings and practices. I love the people of our county, and oppose teachings that divide us and our children. DEI has no place in government, and is being removed from corporations and government institutions nationwide as Americans come to understand the harmful nature of the DEI movement.”

Rhodea defeated non-OI Republican David Morren in the August primary. She will face Democrat Rebecca Patrick in the general election.

For more information, visit sylviarhodea.com.

District 9: Phil Kuyers

Includes: Grand Haven Charter Township, Robinson Township, Spring Lake Township: Precinct 5

The former longtime Ottawa County commissioner represented District 9 for more than two decades before losing to Ottawa Impact Republican Roger Belknap in 2022.

Kuyers said he doesn't like what he's seen under OI's leadership.

"When people used to talk about Ottawa County, it was about the beaches, Grand Haven, Holland — great places to vacation, right? We have the best place to live, the healthiest place to live. Now, the national news is talking about how stupid the commissioners are? That's not who we are."

Kuyers was first elected to the commission in 2000 and served as chair for three years. Born and raised in Robinson Township, the 65-year-old co-owned and operated a dairy farm for more than 40 years and co-owned Pigeon Creek Golf Course for 20 years.

Kuyers said it's been difficult to watch the county's government stability becoming more threatened.

"They've turned our county upside down," he said. "Before, it was everybody knitted together. They'll do their best to bankrupt the county if they keep doing what they're doing. They don't know politics. They don't know government at all."

If elected, Kuyers first wants to focus on employees.

"No. 1 is making sure our employees have what they need," he said. "We need to work with HR to make sure people working for the county are secure about their jobs, and make sure they know we appreciate the jobs they do."

Next would be shoring up financials.

"We've got to keep this good thing we have going and focus on keeping our AAA bond rating."

It's imperative the county not lose that rating, Kuyers said, as other public entities leverage the county's bond rating to finance bonds. Any downgrade could lead to millions in additional interest costs.

"If you have good finances, then you have a good bond rating. ... The schools work off us, the townships work off us, the road commission — everybody works off the county bond rating."

Kuyers said a string of controversial hires by the board — including the current administrator, deputy administrator and administrative executive aide — have cost hundreds of thousands, choices that'll take time and money to correct.

"I'm going to spend some money on people we don't want back," he said. "It might cost the county a little bit, but it's going to save them a lot. When we win back the majority, I'm going to work so hard to get the ship righted, because it's going to take a lot of people to get back."

Kuyers also pointed to a surge in legal costs for the county, saying current corporation counsel Kallman Legal Group isn't providing adequate service in the midst of numerous lawsuits.

"I want to put out bids for a new law firm the minute we're sworn in," he said. "I want to bring the county back to a good financial state — not blowing money."

Part of that will mean being open to grants — something Ottawa Impact has generally rejected, mostly over political differences with the current Democrat-controlled state legislature and governor's office.

"That's really stupid for our people because it's your tax dollars no matter what. It's your money coming back to us."

Kuyers beat Belknap in this year’s August primary (Belknap has since launched a write-in campaign as an independent) and will face Democrat Angela Stanford-Butler in the general election.

For more information, visit electphilkuyers.com.

District 10: Josh Brugger

Includes: City of Ferrysburg, City of Grand Haven, Spring Lake Township: Precincts 1-4 and 6

Josh Brugger wants to return Ottawa County to being "boring, reliable and predictable" — and he says that's a good thing.

"County government should be operating quietly behind the scenes, supporting the community," he said.

He was inspired to run after several controversial decisions were made by the current board.

"I believe that, at a time like this, we all have a responsibility to do something," Brugger said. "I happen to have experience that I've gained over the last 20 years that put me in a good place to benefit our county — and I think experience is very important at this time."

That experience includes previous time on Grand Haven's city council, planning commission, human relations commission and zoning board of appeals.

"I love it that people want to get involved — it's great — but do the time," Brugger said. "If you want to be the owner of factory production, you start out sweeping the floor, and then you graduate to cleaning the toilets, and then you graduate to working on the line, and then you graduate to managing the line.

"What we have right now is the exact opposite. We have a group of people who (came) in with very little experience, very passionate about one or two issues," Brugger added, referring to OI's roots in anti-COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Brugger says he wants a return to normalcy, which "involves a certain level of grace and self-control."

"I want to stop the pendulum effect," he said. "What I worry about is an equal and opposite reaction. We had a group of people that were upset with a Democratic governor who possibly overstepped with some mask mandates. I get that and we all, in hindsight, would agree. But it was an awful experience that no one asked for, so let's proceed with caution. We've had an overreaction to one particular issue, which has been trumped up to represent other issues like a stamping on civil liberties.

"I want to make sure that we don't swing the pendulum back in a reactionary fashion. But that instead, we find ourselves back in common sense."

Brugger has the support of current District 10 Commissioner Roger Bergman, who's retiring at the end of his current term after 12 years on the commission.

Brugger aims to restore the county's former reputation "for our awesome festivals like Tulip Time and Coast Guard, for our manufacturing sector tied to automotive and furniture."

"That's what we were known for — that's what we used to be known for," he said. "I want us, as a county, to become known for those things again, instead of the headlines that we read in Politico and The Washington Post."

Brugger was first elected to Grand Haven City Council in 2015. He later ran unsuccessfully for mayor against Bob Monetza.

Brugger graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1996, then graduated from Hope College in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in political science and pre-law.

He previously worked for Habitat for Humanity, Love in the Name of Christ, and has had several volunteer experiences overseas, including in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Mongolia. He founded his own home-building company, BruggerHouse Builders, with his father in 2004.

He said all eyes are on the county right now and he wants to deliver good governance.

"I believe we are at a very unique point in time and we have an opportunity," he said. "We will have a greater impact on the nation than ever before because the spotlight is on us right now. ... Anything that we do in Ottawa County now will have ripple effects across the country, because the eye of the country is on us right now."

Brugger defeated OI Republican Jason Koert in the August primary. He will face Democrat Oliver Shampine in the general election.

For more information, visit brugger4commissioner.com.

District 11: Allison Miedema

Includes: Chester Township, City of Coopersville, Crockery Township, Polkton Charter Township, Tallmadge Charter Township, Wright Township

Miedema has never responded to this reporter’s multiple requests for comment since January 2023.

In June, she responded to a candidate questionnaire from The Sentinel, where she said: “I am thankful for the current county board's leadership in focusing on the Constitution, keeping the government in check, and restoring the rights to We the People. Current board leadership is using common sense, discernment and courage and actively seeks information and asks questions to make informed decisions. This is a board that is hands-on and invested in doing the work that is needed to continue cultivating a beautiful Ottawa.”

On her priorities for a new term, Miedema said: “Ottawa County needs to continue having important conversations as it relates to protecting farmland, which is one of the top two economic contributors for our county, and connecting a variety of people with one another as they work to come up with solutions for our current housing needs within the county. Ottawa County also stands in need of truthful journalism. Without truth, we are not a free nation.”

Sentinel Leach is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

On the closure of the county’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department that Ottawa Impact championed in January 2023, Rhodea said: “I do not support government-funded DEI programs.”

Miedema defeated non-OI Republicans Sara Bajema and Dick Van Dop in the August primary. She will face Democrat Keith Courtade in the general election on Nov. 5.

For more information, visit allisonmiedema.com.

— Contact Sarah Leach at SentinelLeach@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach. Subscribe to her content at sentinelleach.substack.com.