A Community-Focused Campaign

At last Friday’s candidate panel hosted by the West Coast Chamber of Commerce, it became clear how each of us as candidates approaches this race. My opponent, Jacob Bonnema, came in carrying a Republican voter guide—no campaign literature for himself, no local focus—just the party line. Rob Thurkettle did not attend, but if you’ve driven by his home, you might have noticed large Trump flags and Trump signs next to each of his Thurkettle signs. This is something you will see with almost all of Bonnema’s and Thurkettle’s signs around town.  This campaign behavior speaks volumes. By contrast, when you pass my house, you’ll only see support for local candidates. You won’t find me advocating for any national politician, whether it’s Harris, Biden, or Trump. When you see my signs around town, you will see them by themselves or alongside both Trump and Harris signs. 

What this reflects, more than anything, is my commitment to our community. I’m focused here, locally, on Ottawa County, not pushing a national narrative. It’s not about what’s happening in Washington; it’s about the unique needs of our own neighborhoods and residents. I am incredibly proud of that achievement, regardless of the outcome of this race. 

Throughout the summer and fall, I’ve made it a point to be present at nearly every community event possible. Not because I want the title of “Mr. Zeeland” but because being involved is essential for true representation. You can’t just watch from the outside; you need to participate and engage in the community you hope to represent.

In addition to community events, I have actively participated in local government operations. I’ve attended county meetings, subcommittee discussions, and city and township meetings to get a comprehensive view of how Ottawa County works. I’ve even sought out past representatives to understand how things have operated historically. Our county has predominantly had Republican representation, and I’ve reached across perceived political divides to learn and engage with all.

Bringing all this together, there’s a real contrast here. My opponents seem to be pushing top-down, partisan agendas that bring national politics into local government. Their messaging often involves issues that are divisive and irrelevant to the county level, like abortion or immigration. These are topics that only deepen divisions, creating conflict when it’s completely unnecessary.

What concerns me the most is the lack of community focus from my opponents. Whether it’s their personal beliefs or simply following the party line, their emphasis on issues outside the county’s jurisdiction is misplaced. Our community deserves a commissioner who is here for Ottawa County and its people, not someone distracted by national agendas.

I am here to represent Ottawa County, not to divide it.