Always follow the money: Campaign Finances for the Kent County Commission races and the Grand Rapids Power Structure contributions

Just as we have demonstrated over the past few days with the Grand Rapids City Commission races, the Kent County Commission seats will be influenced by the Grand Rapids Power Structure.

In the 21 Kent County Commission seats that are up for election, there is a great deal of money coming from political organizations and individuals/families that make up the Capitalist Class in Grand Rapids.

Below you can find basic campaign finance information for all 21 Kent County Commission seats and some of the larger campaign contributors. What follows is a list of the organizations that have contributed and the combined amount for each organization for all 21 Kent County seats. We will then do the same thing for the Individuals/families that are amongst the wealthiest in this area.

Organizations

• Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce PAC – $14,300
• Realtors PAC of Michigan – $16,250
• TGIF Victory Fund – $6000
• Kent County Republican Committee – $15,000

Individuals/family campaign contributions

• Terri Land & Dan Hibma – $12,500
• Michael & Susan Jandernoa – $12,100
• DeVos family & associates – $60,900

Between the Political Action Committees and the members of the Capitalist Class in Kent County, we are looking at roughly $150,000 that have been contributed collectively to the Kent County Commission races. These organizations and these families do no contribute money just so their candidate can win, the contribute money to make sure that policies get adopted that will benefit their interests. To ignore this reality is both naive and dangerous. 

Lastly, it is worth noting that along partisan lines, it is clear that when candidates do not raise funds they are conceding that race. However, if you look closely, the Democratic Party candidates that have raised money, some of them have also received contribution from PACs like the Chamber of Commerce or the Realtor PAC of Michigan, since those entities also want to influence policy outcomes and are less concerned about partisan politics than having politicians who are more likely to adopt policy that benefits their interests. 

District #1

Jerry Berta (D) – 

No funds raised

Ben Greene (R)

Total raised: $28,858.08

Largest contributors:

• Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce – $3500
• Realtors Political Action Committee of Michigan – $2000
• TGIF Victory Fund – $2000
• JC Huizenga, National Heritage Academies – $1050
• Dan Hibma, Land & Company – $1000
• Terri Land, Land & Company – $1000
• Joel Langlois, Delta Properties – $1000
• Michael Jandernoa, 42 North Partners – $1000
• Susan Jandernoa, homemaker – $1000
• Lee Anne Langlois, Retired – $1000

District #2

Rebecca Diffin (D)

No funds raised

Thomas Antor (R)

No funds raised

District #3 

Janalee Keegstra (D)

No funds raised 

Jennifer Merchant (R)

Total raised: $27,675

Largest contributors:

• Jennifer Merchant, Deputy Policy Director – $2100
• Realtors PAC of Michigan – $2000
• Rebecca Humphries, CEO National Wild Turkey Federation – $1050
• Dick DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Betsy DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Pamela DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Dan DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Suzanne DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Doug DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Maria DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Dalton DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Steve Ehmann, RDV Corp – $1050
• Michael Jandernoa, 42 North Partners – $1000
• Susan Jandernoa, Retired – $1000
• GR Chamber of Commerce PAC – $1000
• Don Goris, President Campaign Resource Group – $1000
• Michelle Humphries, Retired – $1000

District #4

Judy Wood (D)

No funds raised 

Katie DeBoer (R)

Total Raised: $6151

• Katie DeBoer – $6151

District #5

Vanessa Lee (D)

No funds raised 

Dave Hildenbrand (R)

Total raised: $27,750

Largest contributors:

• Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce – $2500
• West Michigan Anesthesia PAC – $1000
• Realtors PAC of Michigan – $1000
• Compete Michigan PAC – $1000
• Gregory Ford, K&R Excavating – $1050
• Dick DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Betsy DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Pamela DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Dan DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Suzanne DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Doug DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Maria DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Steve Ehmann, RDV Corp – $1050
• Edward Nausieda, President Bravo LT – $1000
• Mark Anderson, Retired – $1000
• Michael Jandernoa, 42 North Partners – $1000
• Susan Jandernoa, Retired – $1000

District #6 

Nicholas H. Vander Veen (D)

Total raised: $4024

Largest contributors:

• Matthew Clark, Attorney – $1050
• West MI Progress PAC – $500
• UA Local 174 – $500
• Patrick Miles, Attorney – $500 

Stan Stek (R)

Total raised: $24,927

Largest contributors:

• Kent County Republican Committee – $2500
• Miller Canfield PAC – $2000
• GR Chamber of Commerce – $1500
• GRAR Commercial Real Estate PAC – $1500
• Dick DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Betsy DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Pamela DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Dan DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Suzanne DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Doug DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Maria DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Steve Ehmann, RDV Corp – $1050

District #7 

Sue Merrell (D)

No funds raised 

Stan Ponstein (R)

Total raised: $3394

Largest contributors:

Stan Ponstein – $1604

• Kent County Republican Committee – $1000

District #8 

Jennie Chatman (D)

No funds raised 

Dan Burrill (R)

Total raised: $60,363

Largest contributors:

• Kent County Republican Committee – $2500
• GR Chamber of Commerce PAC – $2000
• Realtors PAC of Michigan – $1000
• Sheldon Dekryger, Dekryger Builders – $1050
• Jody Tubergen, homemaker – $1050
• Scott Tubergen, Tubergen Construction – $1050
• Terry Zandbergen, retired – $1050
• Terri Land, Land & Company – $1050
• Dick DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Betsy DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Pamela DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Dan DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Suzanne DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Doug DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Maria DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Steve Ehmann, RDV Corp – $1050
• Dave Deshaw, Consultant – $1050
• Gerald Grooters, retired – $1050
• Pamela Bouwman, retired – $1000
• Harold Voorheen, retired – $1000

District #9 

Chip LaFleur (D)

No funds raised

Matt Kallman (R)

Total raised: $764

District #10 

Julie Humphreys (D)

No funds raised 

Emily Post Brieve (R)

Total raised: $23,286

Largest contributors:

• Realtors PAC of Michigan – $3000
• GR Chamber of Commerce PAC – $2000
• Terri Land, Land & Company – $1050
• Dick DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Betsy DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Pamela DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Dan DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Suzanne DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Doug DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Maria DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Steve Ehmann, RDV Corp – $1050
• Michael Jandernoa, 42 North Partners – $1000
• Susan Jandernoa, Retired – $1000

District #11 

John Considine (D)

Total raised: $100 

Lindsey Thiel (R)

Total raised: $19,450

Largest contributors:

• Realtors PAC of Michigan – $3000
• GR Chamber of Commerce PAC – $1050
• Dick DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Betsy DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Pamela DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Dan DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Suzanne DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Doug DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Maria DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Dalton DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Steve Ehmann, RDV Corp – $1050
• Kent County Republican Committee – $1000

District #12 

Monica Sparks (D)

Funds raised: $2000

Largest contributors:

• Realtors PAC of Michigan – $1750
• GR Chamber of Commerce PAC – $250 

Lee White (R)

Funds raised: $1550

Largest contributors:

• Terri Land, Land & Company – $1050
• Dan Hibma, Land & Company – $1050
• Kent County Republican Committee – $250

District #13 

Michelle McCloud (D) 

Total raised: $3687

Largest contributors:

Michelle McCloud – $1610

• GR Chamber of Commerce PAC – $250 

Tom McKelvey (R)

Total raised: $16,683

Largest contributors: 

• Kent County Republican Committee – $8000
• TGIF Victory Fund – $3000
• Michael Jandernoa Trust – $2000
• Realtors PAC of Michigan – $1250

District #14 

Carol Hennessy (D)

Total raised: $4829

Largest contributors:

• Grand Rapids Firefighters Union PAC – $1000
• Realtors PAC of Michigan – $500 

Jerri Schmidt (R)

Total raised: $3861

Largest contributors:

• Jerri Schmidt – $3738

District #15 

Lisa S. Oliver-King (D)

Total raised: $11,831

Largest contributors:

• Bill Mann, Bronson Health System – $850
• Bradford Mathis, Rockford Construction – $850
• Jeffrey Howard, SEIU – $500
• Tim Williams, Attorney – $500
• Natalie Hall, Michigan Women’s Forward – $500
• Brian Schwartz, Michigan Bank – $500
• Shannon Wilson, Priority Health – $500 

Brian Boersema (R)

No funds raised

District #16 

Melissa LaGrand (D)

Total raised: $8652

Largest contributors:

• Melissa LaGrand – $7487 

John Brooks Twist (R)

No funds raised

District #17 

Tony Baker (D)

Total raised: $17,333

Largest contributors:

• Tony Baker – $3500
• Realtors PAC of Michigan – $750
• Mike Kolehouse – $500 

Jason Gillikin (R)

No funds raised

District #18

Stephen Wooden (D)

Total raised: $12,226

Largest contributors:

Stephen Wooden – $2000

• Michigan Laborers Political League – $1000
• GR Chamber of Commerce PAC – $250

Tim Allen (R)

Total raised: $2505

Largest contributors:

• Terri Land, Land & Company – $1050
• Dan Hibma, Land & Company – $1050

District #19 

Kris Pachla (D)

Total raised: $7515

Largest contributors:

• 314 Action Victory Fund – $500
• Matt Richenthal, Mediavine Inc – $500
• Amy Brogger – $500 

Samuel R. Carstens (R)

Total raised: $3145

Largest contributors: 

• Terri Land, Land & Company – $1050
• Dan Hibma, Land & Company – $1050
• Kent County Republican Committee – $1000

District #20 

Ivan Diaz (D)

Total raised: $1555

Largest contributors:

• Equity PAC – $1000
• West MI Progress PAC – $500 

Elisa Rodriguez (R)

Total raised: $14,215

Largest contributors:

• John Kennedy, Autocam Corporation – $1050
• Terri Land, Land & Company – $1050
• Dan Hibma, Land & Company – $1050
• Dick DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Betsy DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Pamela DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Dan DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Suzanne DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Doug DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Maria DeVos, RDV Corp – $1050
• Steve Ehmann, RDV Corp – $1050
• TGIF Victory Fund – $1000

District #21 

Charles Howe (D)

No funds raised 

Walter Bujak (R)

Total raised: $5945

Largest contributors:

• Walter Bujak – $5000