By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Dan Kerkstra didn’t decide to run for Zeeland Township supervisor until shortly before the filing deadline in late April.
But with the encouragement of neighbors and other township residents, the local farmer and business owner entered the race – his first run for public office.
On Aug. 4, Kerkstra defeated incumbent Kerri Bosma in the Republican primary for a two-year term as supervisor, capturing 53.7 percent of the vote in winning the election, 1,219-1,050. He does not have any Democratic opposition in the November general election, and would serve up until the 2028 election.
Kerkstra would become the third different supervisor in Zeeland Township in less than a year. Former Supervisor Tom Oonk resigned at the end of last year, and Bosma, a previous Township Board trustee, was appointed by her colleagues in January to replace Oonk.
Kerkstra, who owns Advanced Concrete Construction, Kerkstra Farms and Kerkstra Storage and Service Facilities, has been a regular presence at Township Board meetings over the past year, speaking out in opposition to the Silver Maple solar project.
“The leadership wasn’t there (in the township) to try to have the proper pushback on it. That’s what it boils down to. There was people quitting and resigning,” Kerkstra said, the latter sentence referring to the resignations of Oonk and former Township Clerk Kate Kraak, as well as some township office staff.
While a large part of Kerkstra’s campaign addressed preserving agriculture and the township’s rural character, he says there are many other issues facing the township.
“I didn’t just run on the solar thing,” Kerkstra said. “There was a lot of infrastructure issues. I’m in construction. There’s a lot of other things (that need to be addressed).”
Kerkstra’s support was strongest in Precinct 4 – the eastern half of the township where he lives, and also where Silver Maple is planned. He won that precinct by more than a 2-to-1 margin, 360-155.
“I’ve done work and have a 25-year relationship with a lot of people in my precinct,” Kerkstra said. “There was a lot of first-time voters … that came out for this one.”
Bosma narrowly won Precinct 1, the northwest portion of the township, 248-245, and won Precinct 3, the southwest portion, 329-260. Kerkstra won Precinct 2, the portion just south and east of the Zeeland city limits, 354-318.
“While the votes weren’t in my favor, my commitment to this community has not changed,” Bosma posted on her Facebook page the day after the election. “I will continue serving with the highest level of integrity, a strong work ethic, and a genuine desire to do what is best for our township during this time of transition.
“It has been an incredible honor to serve this township, and I remain thankful for the friendships, support and opportunities we’ve shared along the way.”
Two newcomers to the Township Board – Clerk Brian VanDussen and Trustee John Shrauger, both of whom were appointed earlier this year – ran unopposed in the primary. Neither face any Democratic challengers in November. They will serve until the next election in November 2028.
In other area elections on Aug. 4, eight-term U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, a Zeeland native, easily defeated former Holland mayor Phil Tanis in the Republican primary in the Fourth Congressional District, capturing 85% of the vote. Huizenga, who resides in Holland Township, will face state Sen. Sean McCann of Kalamazoo, who won the Democratic primary over Diop Harris II of Battle Creek, in November.
In the race for the open 31st District State Senate seat, business owner John Wetzel of Grand Haven won a hard-fought three-way Republican primary, defeating Kevin Maas and Michael Markey Jr., receiving 40% of the vote compared to 33% for Maas and 27% for Markey.
Wetzel will take on former Ottawa County commissioner Chris Kleinjans, who won the Democratic primary by a 3-to-1 margin over Keagan Host, in the November general election. The winner will replace term-limited Sen. Roger Victory, who is running for the Michigan State University Board of Trustees.
In the 85th District State House race, incumbent Rep. Brad Slagh of Zeeland Township won his Republican primary contest against John O’Brien, receiving 84 percent of the vote. Slagh will face Democrat Richard Abraham in November.
Zeeland Record
Dan Kerkstra didn’t decide to run for Zeeland Township supervisor until shortly before the filing deadline in late April.
But with the encouragement of neighbors and other township residents, the local farmer and business owner entered the race – his first run for public office.
On Aug. 4, Kerkstra defeated incumbent Kerri Bosma in the Republican primary for a two-year term as supervisor, capturing 53.7 percent of the vote in winning the election, 1,219-1,050. He does not have any Democratic opposition in the November general election, and would serve up until the 2028 election.
Kerkstra would become the third different supervisor in Zeeland Township in less than a year. Former Supervisor Tom Oonk resigned at the end of last year, and Bosma, a previous Township Board trustee, was appointed by her colleagues in January to replace Oonk.
Kerkstra, who owns Advanced Concrete Construction, Kerkstra Farms and Kerkstra Storage and Service Facilities, has been a regular presence at Township Board meetings over the past year, speaking out in opposition to the Silver Maple solar project.
“The leadership wasn’t there (in the township) to try to have the proper pushback on it. That’s what it boils down to. There was people quitting and resigning,” Kerkstra said, the latter sentence referring to the resignations of Oonk and former Township Clerk Kate Kraak, as well as some township office staff.
While a large part of Kerkstra’s campaign addressed preserving agriculture and the township’s rural character, he says there are many other issues facing the township.
“I didn’t just run on the solar thing,” Kerkstra said. “There was a lot of infrastructure issues. I’m in construction. There’s a lot of other things (that need to be addressed).”
Kerkstra’s support was strongest in Precinct 4 – the eastern half of the township where he lives, and also where Silver Maple is planned. He won that precinct by more than a 2-to-1 margin, 360-155.
“I’ve done work and have a 25-year relationship with a lot of people in my precinct,” Kerkstra said. “There was a lot of first-time voters … that came out for this one.”
Bosma narrowly won Precinct 1, the northwest portion of the township, 248-245, and won Precinct 3, the southwest portion, 329-260. Kerkstra won Precinct 2, the portion just south and east of the Zeeland city limits, 354-318.
“While the votes weren’t in my favor, my commitment to this community has not changed,” Bosma posted on her Facebook page the day after the election. “I will continue serving with the highest level of integrity, a strong work ethic, and a genuine desire to do what is best for our township during this time of transition.
“It has been an incredible honor to serve this township, and I remain thankful for the friendships, support and opportunities we’ve shared along the way.”
Two newcomers to the Township Board – Clerk Brian VanDussen and Trustee John Shrauger, both of whom were appointed earlier this year – ran unopposed in the primary. Neither face any Democratic challengers in November. They will serve until the next election in November 2028.
In other area elections on Aug. 4, eight-term U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, a Zeeland native, easily defeated former Holland mayor Phil Tanis in the Republican primary in the Fourth Congressional District, capturing 85% of the vote. Huizenga, who resides in Holland Township, will face state Sen. Sean McCann of Kalamazoo, who won the Democratic primary over Diop Harris II of Battle Creek, in November.
In the race for the open 31st District State Senate seat, business owner John Wetzel of Grand Haven won a hard-fought three-way Republican primary, defeating Kevin Maas and Michael Markey Jr., receiving 40% of the vote compared to 33% for Maas and 27% for Markey.
Wetzel will take on former Ottawa County commissioner Chris Kleinjans, who won the Democratic primary by a 3-to-1 margin over Keagan Host, in the November general election. The winner will replace term-limited Sen. Roger Victory, who is running for the Michigan State University Board of Trustees.
In the 85th District State House race, incumbent Rep. Brad Slagh of Zeeland Township won his Republican primary contest against John O’Brien, receiving 84 percent of the vote. Slagh will face Democrat Richard Abraham in November.
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