Bill Huizenga | |
|---|---|
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| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromMichigan | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Pete Hoekstra (2nd district) Fred Upton (4th district, redistricted) |
| Constituency | 2nd district (2011–2023) 4th district (2023–present) |
| Member of theMichigan House of Representatives from the90th district | |
| In office January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Wayne Kuipers |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Haveman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Patrick Huizenga (1969-01-31)January 31, 1969 (age 56) Zeeland, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Calvin College (BA) |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
William Patrick Huizenga (/ˈhaɪzɪŋɡə/HY-zing-gə; born January 31, 1969) is an American politician serving as aU.S. representative from Michigan since 2011, representing the state's4th congressional district since 2023. A member of theRepublican Party, Huizenga served in theMichigan House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009.[1] His district covers much of Southwestern Michigan, includingKalamazoo,Battle Creek, andHolland. He previously represented the2nd district from 2011 to 2023.
Born to a family ofDutch Americans, Huizenga is the co-owner and operator of Huizenga Gravel Company, a family business inJenison, Michigan. In the early 1990s, he worked inreal estate. He left real estate in 1996, becoming an aide to U.S. representativePete Hoekstra.[citation needed]
Starting with his first election in 2002, Huizenga represented the90th district for three terms, winning reelection in 2004 and 2006. After the 2006 election he wasterm limited. The district is inOttawa County and includesHolland, Zeeland,Hudsonville,Blendon Township,Jamestown Township,Holland Township, andZeeland Township.[citation needed]
Huizenga voted for the initial version of the Michigan Business Tax, but opposed the 2% surcharge and a sales and services tax later in the process.[2]
After serving 18 years, Republican incumbentPete Hoekstra retired to run for the Republican nomination for governor. Huizenga defeatedJay Riemersma,State SenatorWayne Kuipers, businessman Bill Cooper, and three others in the Republican primary election—the real contest in this heavily Republican district—on August 3, 2010.[3] Huizenga defeated Democratic nominee Fred Johnson, 64% to 32%.[4] The district was rated "Solid Republican" byThe New York Times.[5] The district and its predecessors have been in Republican hands for all but four years since 1873, and without interruption since 1935.[citation needed]
Huizenga was reelected, defeating Democratic nominee Willie German Jr., Mary Buzuma of the Libertarian Party, Ronald Graeser of the U.S. Taxpayers Party and William Opalicky of the Green Party.[citation needed]
Huizenga was reelected, defeating Democratic nominee Dean Vanderstelt, Ronald Welch of the Libertarian Party and Ronald Graeser of the U.S. Taxpayers Party.[6]
Huizenga was reelected, defeating Democratic nominee Dennis Murphy, Erwin Haas of the Libertarian Party, and Matthew Brady of the Green Party.[7]
Huizenga was reelected, defeating Democratic nominee Rob Davison and Ronald Graeser of the U.S. Taxpayers Party.[8]
Huizenga was reelected, defeating Democratic nominee Bryan Berghoef, Max Riekse of the Libertarian Party, Gerald Van Sickle of the U.S. Taxpayers Party, and Jean-Michel Creviere of the Green Party.[9]
For his first six terms, Huizenga represented a district stretching fromCadillac downLake Michigan's eastern shore throughGrand Rapids's suburbs, includingMuskegon, Holland,Kentwood, andGrand Haven. However, redistricting after the 2020 census saw Michigan's congressional map significantly redrawn. The 2nd lost the more urban portions ofMuskegon andKent counties, along with all but a sliver ofOttawa County. This area accounted for around 30 percent of the old 2nd's land, but almost 60 percent of its constituents. To make up for the loss in population, it was pushed to the east, grabbing a large slice of territory previously in the old 4th district. That district's four-term incumbent, fellow Dutch-American RepublicanJohn Moolenaar, opted to run in the 2nd after the old 4th was dismantled and much of his former base was drawn into the 2nd.
Huizenga's home in Holland, along with most of southern Ottawa County and northernAllegan County, was merged with the Kalamazoo-based6th district to form a new 4th district. Huizenga opted to run in the 4th. He was initially priming to challenge 18-term incumbent and fellow RepublicanFred Upton, even though the new 4th was geographically more Upton's district than Huizenga's. However, Upton opted to retire, effectively handing the Republican nomination to Huizenga.[10] Huizenga easily won a seventh term.
Huizenga was reelected, defeating Democratic nominee Jessica Swartz and Curtis Clark of the U.S. Taxpayers Party.[11]
In December 2020, Huizenga was one of 126 Republican members of theHouse of Representatives to sign anamicus brief in support ofTexas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at theUnited States Supreme Court contesting the results of the2020 presidential election, in whichJoe Biden defeated[12] incumbentDonald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lackedstanding underArticle III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.[13][14][15]
House speakerNancy Pelosi issued a statement that called signing the amicus brief an act of "election subversion." She also reprimanded Huizenga and the other House members who supported the lawsuit: "The 126 Republican Members that signed onto this lawsuit brought dishonor to the House. Instead of upholding their oath to support and defend the Constitution, they chose to subvert the Constitution and undermine public trust in our sacred democratic institutions."[16][17]
As of January 2022, Huizenga has voted withPresident Biden's stated position roughly 14% of the time.[18]
Huizenga voted against theRespect for Marriage Act codifyingLoving v. Virginia andObergefell v. Hodges, recognizing marriages across state lines regardless of "sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of those individuals."[24]
On healthcare, he describes himself as an opponent ofObamacare.
He opposes abortion and is a member of the Congressional Pro-Life caucus. He has voted to prevent federal tax money from being used for the procurement of abortions.
In both 2022 and 2024, Huizenga endorsedNancy DeBoer for Michigan state representative in the 86th district.[25] DeBoer has been accused by many ofhomophobia.[26][27][28][29][30]
Huizenga and his wife have five children and live in Holland. He attends HavenChristian Reformed Church inZeeland.[31]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromMichigan's 2nd congressional district 2011–2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromMichigan's 4th congressional district 2023–present | Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 85th | Succeeded by |
