Occupation / Current Position
Small Business Owner, Chairperson of Norton Shores Zoning Board of Appeals
Qualifications and Experience
Owner of The Griffin’s Rest, Chairperson of Norton Shores Zoning Board of Appeals, Husband, Father, Neighbor
Both of my daughters attend public schools just like I did. Because I believe in the power of public schools, I will fight to oppose every effort to privatize them, including school vouchers. I also believe we must raise the minimum wage for teachers and find sustainable funding models so that schools aren’t left hanging when politicians let playing politics get in the way of passing the next budget.
I also strongly believe in the importance of offering programs for kids that want to start their careers straight out of high school like I did, and I support investment in trade training programs that feed directly into local jobs.
Affordability is my #1 issue. Please check out kielreid.com for more detailed info on my plans to address housing, healthcare, & infrastructure costs.
I’d increase housing by encouraging responsible building including mixed-use developments that provide homes at a variety of prices without eating up our farmlands with suburban sprawl. I’d use tax breaks to help young people buy homes and regulate corporations trying to buy up neighborhoods for vacation rentals.
I’d give Michigan the ability to buy patented prescription medications directly from Canada at 1/3 the cost by supporting a bipartisan Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Act.
Water stewardship is our greatest strength and responsibility in West Michigan. Predatory energy companies are buying our politicians and Big Tech companies are trying to exploit our natural resources for profit at our expense. What sets me apart in this race is that I have not taken any corporate or PAC donations, meaning I’m not in any company’s pocket. So when energy companies and data centers come knocking, I don’t owe them any favors. I would properly fund EGLE, push forward legislation putting a state-wide moratorium on data centers, and most importantly, prioritize the health, safety and happiness of my neighbors and planet.
As the son of an immigrant, I’m living the American Dream firsthand. What America represents to citizens and aspiring citizens alike is a stable, fair place where you can control your destiny. However, ICE is threatening the stability of our communities with violence and undermining the rule of law with unlawful and inhumane practices. I would prioritize getting ICE out of Michigan and supporting clear, dignified paths to citizenship for immigrants that want to contribute to our community and help us build.
Occupation / Current Position
State Representative, 88th District
Education
Bachelor’s degree from Calvin College and a master’s degree in political leadership from George Washington University.
Qualifications and Experience
Has served four terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, previously served as the district director for U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga and as the senior policy advisor to U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra.
Michigan continues to make record investments in education, yet our students rank 44th nationally in proficiency. Rather than spending more, we must focus on ensuring teachers have the resources, support, and proven tools they need while using existing funding more efficiently to deliver better results for students. We should restore clear, transparent measures of student achievement and ensure students demonstrate grade-level readiness before moving on.
My priorities include building an environment that supports small businesses and Michigan's workforce. A key part of that effort is my legislation that created and codified the MI Tri-Share program. This program makes child care more affordable, helping parents stay in the workforce while providing employers with a tool to attract and retain employees.
We need a balanced approach that embraces diverse sources to ensure reliable and affordable energy. This includes practical policies that support economic growth while protecting the Great Lakes and our natural resources.
I believe in upholding the Constitution, respecting the rule of law, and ensuring due process for every person. I support secure borders and a legal, orderly pathway for non-citizens to come to Michigan and earn U.S. citizenship.
