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American politician (born 1969) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Patrick Huizenga (/ˈhaɪzɪŋɡə/ HY-zing-gə; born January 31, 1969) is an American politician serving as a U.S. representative from Michigan since 2011, representing the state's 4th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Huizenga served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009.[1] He currently represents much of Southwestern Michigan, including Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Holland.
Bill Huizenga | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Pete Hoekstra |
| Constituency | 2nd district (2011–2023) 4th district (2023–present) |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 90th district | |
| In office January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Wayne Kuipers |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Haveman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Patrick Huizenga January 31, 1969 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Natalie Huizenga (m. 1993) |
| Children | 5 |
| Website | House website |
Born to a family of Dutch Americans, Huizenga is the co-owner and operator of Huizenga Gravel Company, a family business in Jenison, Michigan. In the early 1990s, he worked in real estate. He left real estate in 1996, becoming an aide to U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra.[citation needed]
Starting with his first election in 2002, Huizenga represented the 90th district for three terms, winning reelection in 2004 and 2006. After the 2006 election he was term limited. The district is in Ottawa County and includes Holland, Zeeland, Hudsonville, Blendon Township, Jamestown Township, Holland Township, and Zeeland 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 incumbent Pete Hoekstra retired to run for the Republican nomination for governor. Huizenga defeated Jay Riemersma, State Senator Wayne 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" by The 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.[citation needed]
Huizenga was reelected, defeating Democratic nominee Dennis Murphy, Erwin Haas of the Libertarian Party, and Matthew Brady of the Green Party.[6]
Huizenga was reelected, defeating Democratic nominee Rob Davison and Ronald Graeser of the U.S. Taxpayers Party.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
For his first six terms, Huizenga represented much of Lake Michigan's eastern shore and many of Grand Rapids's suburbs, including Muskegon, Holland, Kentwood, and Grand Haven. However, redistricting after the 2020 census saw the district significantly redrawn. It was renumbered as the 4th district and pushed well to the south. It picked up Kalamazoo and Battle Creek while losing Muskegon, all of its share of Kent County and much of its share of Ottawa County. In the process, the district lost its connection to longtime Congressman Guy Vander Jagt, who represented the district (then numbered as the 9th) from 1967 to 1993.[citation needed]
The reconfigured district included much of the territory of the Kalamazoo-based 6th district, represented by 18-term incumbent and fellow Republican Fred Upton. Upton opted to retire, effectively handing the Republican nomination to Huizenga.[7] The new 4th was no less Republican than the old 2nd, and Huizenga easily won a seventh term.[citation needed]
In December 2020, Huizenga was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated[8] incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.[9][10][11]
House Speaker Nancy 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."[12][13]
As of January 2022, Huizenga has voted with President Biden's stated position roughly 14% of the time.[14]
Huizenga voted against the Respect for Marriage Act codifying Loving v. Virginia and Obergefell v. Hodges, recognizing marriages across state lines regardless of "sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of those individuals."[20]
Huizenga and his wife have five children and live in Holland. He attends Haven Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland.[21]
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