Biographical Information

Born: August 13, 1966 in Grand Rapids
Marital Status: Married
Spouse/Partner: Melissa
Children: John, Isaac, Helen and Julia
Education: Law degree, University of Chicago, 1992; graduate work in history at the University of Michigan; Bachelor's degree in History, Calvin College, 1988
Employment/Military Record: Self-employed. Co-owner of the Wealthy Street Bakery, former co-owner of Four Friends Coffeehouse, partner at LaGrand and Lowery, PLLC; former Kent County assistant prosecutor
Community Activities: Eastern Avenue Christian Reform Church, Lions Club, Great Start Coalition, Wealthy Street Business Association, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Grand Rapids Restorative Justice Initiative Board member, and I run a jail ministry at the Kent County jail.
Religion: Christian Reformed

Elections and Political Participation

Michigan Senate 30th District 2022
General Vote: 63,363 of 129,633 (48%)
Primary Vote: 21,002 of 21,002 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: AFL-CIO Michigan; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25; American Federation of Teachers Michigan; Michigan Association for Justice; Michigan Education Association PAC; Michigan League of Conservation Voters (primary); Michigan Nurses Association (primary); Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan; Voters Not Politicians (primary)

Michigan House 75th District 2020
General Vote: 30,423 of 40,770 (74%)
Primary Vote: 10,667 of 10,667 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports

Michigan House 75th District 2018
General Vote: 23,709 of 30,502 (77%)
Primary Vote: 10,113 of 10,113 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, AFSCME Council 25, County Road Association of Michigan, Michigan Association for Justice, AFL-CIO, Small Business Association of Michigan, Michigan Realtors, Sierra Club, American Federation of Teachers-Michigan

Michigan House 75th District 2016
General Vote: 25,868 of 33,864 (76%)
Primary Vote: 3,284 of 3,284 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac Committee; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, Small Business Association of Michigan, AFSCME, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce PAC, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Realtors RPAC, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, MiBank PAC, the County Road Association of Michigan RUSH-PAC

Michigan House 75th District Special Election (March 8, 2016)
General Vote: 6,199 of 8,106 (76%)
Primary Vote: 4,085 of 5,033 (81%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: SBAM Small Biz PAC

Michigan Senate 29th District 2010
General Vote: 36,821 of 79,265 (46%)
Primary Vote: 6,370 of 10,936 (58%)

Michigan Senate 29th District 2006
General Vote: 45,595 of 98,985 (46%)
Primary Vote: 10,700 of 10,700 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports

Political Activities: Unsuccessful candidate for 29th Senate District, 2006 and 2010