Readers will note that our 2022 primary election coverage only includes Republican races. This should not be interpreted as partisanship on the part of Lowell’s First Look, but rather, it reflects the fact that only the Republican primary races are contested. All Democratic candidates in Lowell-area districts are running unopposed.

The questions below were selected to provide you with a broad overview of a candidate’s political philosophy and priorities. We could not possibly cover all the topics and issues that are of interest to voters. Instead, we hope these questions will provide you a base for evaluating your choices, and we encourage you to visit candidate websites and social media pages to learn more about each person.

Kent County Commission – District 5

The Kent County Commission 5th District includes the City of Lowell, Lowell Charter Township, Ada Township and the northeast corner of Cascade Township. If you live in Vergennes Township or Grattan Township, you are in the 3rd District – scroll down to see your candidates.

Two candidates are vying for the Republican nomination in the 5th District. The winner will face Democratic candidate Vanessa Lee in November’s general election.

Candidates are listed in alphabetical order, by last name. Responses have not been edited and are published exactly as provided by each candidate.

Stefanie Boone

Campaign address: Ada
Website: https://booneforkent5.com/
Social media: Facebook

Dave Hildenbrand

Campaign address: Lowell
Website: https://www.davehildenbrand.com/
Social media: Facebook

Why are you running to be a Kent County commissioner?

Boone: I am running for Kent County Commissioner because I see an opportunity to be a voice for the people of our community who are fed up with the current direction of our government, schools, communities and workplaces.

Hildenbrand: I am running for the Kent County Commission to serve our community and improve the way our county government operates.

The county budget is over $500 million and funds many county public functions like the sheriff’s office, the county jail, public health, elections, the court system, parks and recreation, social services and many more. I would focus on improving the county operations by finding efficiencies, reducing costs, streamlining services, being more accountable and transparent, championing less government mandates, and saving tax dollars wherever possible.

What do you see as the three biggest issues facing Kent County, and what specific policy or initiative would you champion to address each one?

Boone: Kent County has plenty of money from the taxpayers. With a large surplus in the budget already, we do not need to be looking at ways to increase our taxes. Instead, we need to do a full and extensive audit of our current budget and be sure that our tax dollars are going toward common sense needs of all community members and toward efforts that benefit everyone and make our community safer and more desirable to live, grow, own a business and raise a family in.

Public safety should have more money in its budget. Those that work to keep our community safe need to be fully equipped and prepared at all times to protect and serve the people of our community.

Kent County needs to investigate the actions of our current Health Department Director which were taken during the Covid-19 pandemic. Adam London made sweeping, one-size-fits-all decisions and mandates that shut down businesses, kept kids out of school and learning, brought sick Covid patients into healthy nursing homes, caused a mental health and depression crisis, etc. and has never had to show the science behind his reasoning or answer the questions of the people who pay him. Transparency and accountability are key.

Hildenbrand: The 3 biggest issues facing the county are the size and scope of the county budget, better support for law enforcement and our senior/veteran programs, and making sure the county health department is more transparent and accountable to the people. To solve each of these I would request to serve on the county budget committee, meet with the agency directors and leadership, and ask the tough questions to ensure we are using taxpayer dollars responsibly and efficiently. We need to prioritize our resources through the budget process to support core functions of county government like law enforcement, elections, and our seniors and veterans. Finally, the county health department needs to be structured in a way that is more accessible and transparent when public health issues arise. I will talk with industry experts to restructure the health department so information is shared with the public in real time and decisions are made in an open and transparent way.

If elected, what issues important to Lowell do you foresee being able to address at the county level?

Boone: Lowell is a growing community with a rich history in farming and agriculture. There must be a fine balance between growth and development of the City while preserving the precious resources we still have. I am excited to work with various associations, boards and individuals to achieve that in the most common sense and practical way possible, keeping politics and personal agendas out of the picture. Lowell can find this fine balance, and be truly welcoming and safe for all walks of life. Together, we can achieve that!

The Board of Commissioners is responsible for electing board members to various positions within County departments and I look forward to being a voice for the people within the local libraries, the Road Commission, public utilities, the Health Department, and more.

Hildenbrand: The best way to serve Lowell as a member of the Kent County Board of Commissioners it to be an advocate and voice for the residents of this area when county government issues arise. I would make it a priority to help individuals, businesses, and other organizations navigate the county government and get issues resolved with the sheriff’s department, senior/veteran programs, elections, the court system, county parks, taxes and fees, permitting, etc. I would stand up for our community and be the advocate you need to resolve any issues involving our county government.

As a Republican candidate, what do you think should be the role of former president Donald Trump in the Republican Party today?

Boone: I believe President Trump set the example for America that we can do better! He opened the eyes of millions to the discrepancies we see within the media versus what is actually going on in our daily lives. He taught us that the Constitution should be our guiding light and that we should take the reigns and make a change in course if we don’t like the direction we are headed.

Our current government is all backwards. It is top-down. But that is not the way the government is supposed to work. We need to rebuild our government from the ground up. Starting with school boards and county commissioners who will take a stand for our future and for what is right. We need to bring academics and simple respect for all, regardless of our differences, back into our schools and communities. The government works for We the People, not the other way around.

Hildenbrand: President Trump is an active member of the Republican party, and I can’t influence or control what role or roles he plays. I supported him in past elections. I remain focused on the future of the Republican party and our country as a whole. President Biden is taking our country down the wrong path with skyrocketing costs, inflation, and failed policies with border security and national security. I will be very involved in nominating the best Republican Presidential candidate in 2024 to defeat Biden/Harris and get our country back on track!

Why should people vote for you?

Boone: People should vote for me because I am not an establishment politician. I am a mother of 6. A homeowner. A business owner. An educator. And a fed up taxpayer who heeded God’s calling to step up and make a change. For more than two years I have been attending school board meetings, commissioner meetings, rallies, protests, calling and emailing our legislators and asking tough questions and demanding answers. I see and know what is going on because I am in the daily grind of it, not lobbying in Lansing like my opponent has been doing for the past 4 years. He’s a nice guy, I’m sure, but we can and must do better for our children. For our future. I will show up, stand up, and speak up for you!

Hildenbrand: I grew up in Lowell, graduated from Lowell High School, and am a proud Red Arrow. I have a passion for public service and giving back to our community. If elected to the county commission, I would be the voice of our community, listen to your concerns, represent our interests and values, and will work hard to serve the hardworking, proud Americans throughout the Lowell area.

Kent County Commission – District 3

The Kent County Commission 3rd District includes Vergennes Township, Grattan Township, Oakfield Township, Cedar Springs, Solon Township and the northern portion of Nelson Township.

Two candidates are vying for the Republican nomination in the 3rd District. The winner will face Democratic candidate Janalee Keegstra in November’s general election.

Candidates are listed in alphabetical order, by last name. Responses have not been edited and are published exactly as provided by each candidate.

Mark Laws

Campaign address: Cedar Springs
Website: https://www.votemarklaws.com/
Social media: NA
*Multiple emails were sent to the address listed with the Kent County elections office, but we did not receive a response. No additional contact information was found on the campaign website.