Important Primary Endorsements for Ottawa County

Please read and share this vital information regarding endorsed candidates for the August 2 Primary election. Because Michigan is an open primary state, party members may choose to vote on the Republican primary ballot when casting their votes -- often because there are no contested elections on the Democratic primary ballot, or to prevent an extremist candidate from securing the Republican nomination.

The Ottawa County Democratic Party is urging our members and supporters to select the Democratic ballot in the primary election to support two key races and OCDP endorsed candidates.

Joseph Alfonso is running as a write-in candidate in the 4th Congressional District. Bill Huizenga will run unopposed in the general election unless Mr. Alfonso receives enough write in votes. It is critical to write-in "Joseph Alfonso" in the primary election so that voters in this new district have a Democratic choice in November. Note that his name must be written in full, spelled correctly and that the box next to his name filled in. See the graphic below for more, or visit Mr. Alfonso's Facebook page.

In the 88th Michigan State House District, only one of the Democratic candidates is endorsed by the Ottawa County Democratic Party: Christine Baker. Please visit the candidate page to read about her endorsement, then cast your vote for Ms. Baker by August 2!

Absentee ballot distribution starts at the end of this month. Please share this information and help us spread the word about these key primary races!

Ottawa County Democrats Walk and Fundraise to Feed the Hungry

Saturday, April 23, 2022, enthusiastic members of the Ottawa County Democratic Party walked in the Holland/Zeeland Crop Walk. Early morning walkers were Sylvia Castillo, George Alheid, Kevin O’Brien, Gary Cole, Wanda Crowder Pierce, Robert “Bobby” Bondon, Jo and Bob Bird. Enthusiastic candidate for the 86th State House of Representatives Larry Jackson and his son walked on Sunday afternoon. This was probably the 15th year, the OCDP has chosen the Holland/Zeeland Crop Walk as a Community Service project. Fundraisers in the group: George Alheid, Jo and Bob Bird, have raised a total of $6,712.93, as of April 25. The money goes to ensuring clean water and meeting food needs for hurting families in West Michigan and around the world. 25% of the money will be distributed to these local organizations: Buen Pastor Migrant Day Care Center, Christian Neighbors, Church World Services, Community Action House, Evergreen Commons Adult Meal Program, Harvest Stand Ministries, Gateway Mission, Kids Food Basket and the Salvation Army. The rest of the funds will assist families in crises due to war, drought, famine and other natural causes.

The Ottawa County Democrats are proud to help those less fortunate. Many thanks to all of you who donated to make this year’s fundraising a success.

NEW CANDIDATE for Ottawa County Conservation District!

Callie Melton

Callie Melton

What is the Ottawa Conservation District? 

A locally controlled natural resource management district  administered by a publicly elected board of  directors. 

What Does it Do?  Provides local support for land and water conservation programs  by providing resources to make smart land management decisions in Ottawa County. (ottawacd.org)

How do you vote? Call 616-842-5852 ext. 5 and ask for an Absentee Ballot. Leave a message with your name, address and zip code and a ballot will be mailed to you. You will need to include a copy of your ID with your return ballot. Return it by mail or in person by 4pm March 16th to 16731 Ferris St, Grand Haven, MI 49417 .

Callie lives in Chester Township with her husband, Jerry, and their two children, Naomi and Connor. She was raised in Hudsonville and has lived in Ottawa County most of her life. She is currently attending Grand Valley State for a master’s Public Administration with an emphasis in public management. She is a self-employed Public Relations consultant, her clients have included Guiding Light Ministries and the GVSU Women’s Center. 

She recently founded the Crockery Creek Watershed Council, an emerging area of interest for future conservation work. She hopes that the watershed group will bring conservation funding to local farmers, protect local water resources and restore Crockery Lake to health. 

Watershed and farming issues became an area of interest for her after she worked with advocates across the state to bring the PFAS pollution crisis to light. Many things were discovered about the many unethical practices that took place, including that local farmers were in the dark about the toxicity of the tannery sludge they were spreading on their fields. 

What we know about the environment, our weather and even things that we’ve created- changes all the time. She will continue to work with farmers and landowners to overcome the new and difficult challenges we are facing. She is also committed to working with local and county leadership on providing more conservation services throughout the county, so that we may preserve our natural resources for generations to come.

GOTV Phone Banking with MDP Chair

MDP Chair

MDP Chair

Dear Ottawa Dems and Friends,

We need your help to Get Out the Vote for municipal elections in Holland and Grand Haven! Join us for phone banking on Sunday, November 3 starting at 4:30 p.m. at our headquarters (451 Columbia in Holland). We'll be making courtesy calls to voters who received absentee ballots but have not yet returned them, as well as reminder calls to encourage individuals to vote.

PLUS, we just learned that MDP Chair Lavora Barnes will be visiting our GOTV phone bank around 5:30 p.m. that day. Her decision to visit Ottawa just before the election shows just how important these races are. This is a great opportunity to meet Lavora and show her that Ottawa County Democrats are serious about electing progressive candidates!

Dare to Be an Ottawa Democrat!