Through the primary election on August 7, on every Tuesday and Thursday on the MLC Blog we will be highlighting races for which the primary is the key race due to the voter base.  Candidate’s website and professional information is listed when available.

District Overview

The 30^th Senate District is in Ottawa County and boasts a strong 72% Republican base.

Commentary

Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R) is term limited from running for re-election, leaving the race wide open. The Republican primary race has two current legislators and one former legislator on the ballot. While he’s been out of office for four years, former Representative Haveman served as the House Appropriations Chair while in office and can tout his fiscally responsible approach to the district. Both Representatives Garcia and Victory have name identification with the constituents of the 30^th Senate district, which is always a plus when there is a full ballot.  Given the strong Republican base, the winner of the primary race is all but assured to win in November.

Democratic Candidate:

• Jeanette Schipper – Student and employee at Western Theological Seminary

Republican Candidates:

• Rett DeBoer – Former small business owner, bus driver, and secretary at the City of Holland
• Daniela Garcia – State Representative, former policy advisor for former Congressman Pete Hoekstra and the U.S House Committee on Education and the Workforce
• Joe Haveman – Former State Representative, small business owner, Ottawa County Commissioner, Holland City Council member
• Roger Victory – State Representative, small business owner, former president of the Ottawa County Farm Bureau.

Libertarian Candidate:

• Mary Buzuma

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