Occupation / Current Position
Project Manager at Great Lakes Political Academy
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Hope College
Qualifications and Experience
Project Manager at Great Lakes Political Academy, Development and Communications Associate at the Holland Museum, Regional Political Director at MI House Democratic Fund
Michigan’s education system needs major improvement. As State Representative, I will fight for increased public school funding so students have the resources they need to succeed. I support free breakfast and lunch for every student and better pay for teachers to attract and retain talented educators. I will also push to modernize standardized testing, replacing an outdated system designed for the manufacturing era with one shaped by educators and better suited to today’s economy and workforce.
When my dad was injured on the job while I was in middle school, my family relied on government assistance to stay afloat and put food on the table. That experience showed me the importance of protecting working families. I support preserving Prevailing Wage, strengthening MIOSHA safety standards, and opposing Right to Work policies. I will also fight to ban price gouging on gas and groceries and cap prescription drug costs so no family has to choose between healthcare and basic necessities.
I will protect Michigan’s clean energy transition while ensuring it creates good-paying jobs. I also believe polluters should be held accountable for the damage they cause and required to clean up their mess. Michigan’s natural resources are worth protecting. I also oppose keeping the J.H. Campbell Coal Plant open at taxpayers’ expense, as it drives up energy costs and contributes to harmful pollution that threatens public health and our environment.
I believe in the rights the Constitution lays forth for all Michigan residents, and I’m committed to upholding First and Fourth Amendment rights in face of Federal overreach and violations of these foundational rights. I believe it is the responsibility of Michigan’s state legislature to step in and protect its residents when the Federal government engages in violations of these rights.
Occupation / Current Position
State Representative, House District 86
Education
Calvin University, BA in Secondary Ed, Western MI University, 20 hrs toward a MA
Qualifications and Experience
Holland City Council (10 yrs), Mayor of Holland (2 terms), State Representative (2023-present)
Sadly, Michigan student test scores are close to the bottom in the nation for many years in both reading and math. We need to make changes to the way we teach reading, as the Science of Reading (Phonics) was abandoned in the state from many districts for years. As Chair of the House Education and Workforce, I am working closely with the MEA, the Governor's office, the Board of Education and other stakeholders to pass my bill to bring back the Science of Reading for students in our state and to train future teachers in MI colleges. We are close to passing this bill this session. Schools should be continue to be high priority for funding.
We must do what we can to reduce the impact of high costs, mostly created by the Federal government. The Governor could lower gas taxes, but the gas tax pays for the bonds that the Governor bought for roads and could negatively impact our state's budget. Right to Work was cut a year ago and it helps businesses stay and come into our state. This is vital to keep incomes strong. Unions are important but people need to have the right to choose. Reducing property taxes will help our residents but there needs to be funding to make up for any loss in state income as any cuts need to keep schools and local governments financially harmless.
We need a balanced approach to energy, using wind, solar, natural gas and small nuclear modules. The latter has great promise and is safe and highly effective. While Mayor of Holland I supported and encouraged our transition from a coal power plant to our highly efficient natural gas plant. We use this plant for snow melt, let alone the low electricity rates due to selling our excess power on the grid.
The United States became great due to the immigrants that came here from across the world. Both my husband and my grandparents were all immigrants. We need to welcome people who have come to America in a legal way. Individuals streaming across the boarder is not allowed in any country. There must be a legal process for all. I have advocated for immigrants here in Holland who have been afraid to say they are here, but have been for years serving the community by working for businesses, raising a family, paying taxes and being great citizens. They need to have a legal path forward to be citizens.
