Bill Huizenga Bio
William Patrick Huizenga (born January 31, 1969) is an American politician who has represented Michigan in the United States House of Representatives since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he served Michigan’s 2nd congressional district from 2011 to 2023 and has represented the 4th congressional district since 2023. Before his time in Congress, Huizenga spent three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives and remains a co-owner and operator of his family’s gravel business in western Michigan.
Born and raised in a Dutch American family in West Michigan, Huizenga built a career in business and local politics before moving to statewide and then national office. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin College and has been active in his community and church. He lives in Holland, Michigan, with his wife, Natalie, and their five children.
Early Life and Background
William Patrick Huizenga was born on January 31, 1969, in Zeeland, Michigan, a small community in Ottawa County with deep Dutch American roots. He grew up in a family with strong ties to the region’s business and civic life. As a young man, he became involved in his family’s operations, eventually becoming a co-owner and operator of the Huizenga Gravel Company, based in nearby Jenison, Michigan.
After completing high school, Huizenga attended Calvin College, a Christian liberal arts institution in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. His education at Calvin, combined with his family’s business background, helped shape his conservative political outlook and his interest in community service. In the early 1990s, he worked in real estate before shifting his career toward public service in the middle of the decade.
Path to US Politics
Huizenga’s entry into politics began in 1996, when he left the real estate business to work as an aide to U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra of Michigan. Working in Hoekstra’s office gave him firsthand experience with the operations of Congress and the concerns of West Michigan voters. Over the following years, he built relationships with local party leaders and community figures across Ottawa County.
In 2002, Huizenga launched his own political career by running for the Michigan House of Representatives. He won the seat representing the 90th district, which included Holland, Zeeland, Hudsonville, and several surrounding townships in Ottawa County. His success at the state level established him as a rising figure in the Michigan Republican Party and set the stage for his later run for federal office.
Bill Huizenga Career
Early Career (2003–2009)
Bill Huizenga served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 90th district from 2003 to 2009. The district covered parts of Ottawa County, including Holland, Zeeland, Hudsonville, Blendon Township, Jamestown Township, Holland Township, and Zeeland Township. He won reelection in 2004 and 2006, building a record on fiscal and business-friendly policies during his time in Lansing.
During his tenure, Huizenga supported the initial version of the Michigan Business Tax but opposed a later 2 percent surcharge and a proposed sales and services tax. He was term limited after the 2006 election, ending his state-level service in 2009 and opening the door for a run at federal office.
Breakthrough (2010–2016)
After Republican incumbent Pete Hoekstra retired to pursue his party’s nomination for governor, Huizenga entered the 2010 race for Michigan’s 2nd congressional district. In the Republican primary, considered the real contest in the heavily Republican district, he defeated State Senator Wayne Kuipers, businessman Bill Cooper, former NFL player Jay Riemersma, and three other candidates. He went on to win the general election against Democratic nominee Fred Johnson by a margin of 64 percent to 32 percent.
Over the next several election cycles, Huizenga continued to post commanding victories. He defeated Democratic nominee Willie German Jr. and several third-party candidates to win his second term, then beat Democrat Dean Vanderstelt for a third term. He followed that with wins over Dennis Murphy, Rob Davison, and Bryan Berghoef in successive elections, cementing his hold on the 2nd district.
Throughout this period, Huizenga represented a district that stretched from Cadillac down Lake Michigan’s eastern shore through the suburbs of Grand Rapids, including Muskegon, Holland, Kentwood, and Grand Haven. His focus on economic and small-business issues reflected the makeup of his constituents and his own background as a business owner.
Republican Era (2017–Present)
In December 2020, Huizenga was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case, ruling that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement calling the signing of the brief an act of election subversion.
As of January 2022, Huizenga had voted with President Joe Biden’s stated position roughly 14 percent of the time, reflecting a consistently conservative voting record. On social issues, he voted against the Respect for Marriage Act and describes himself as an opponent of Obamacare. He opposes abortion, is a member of the Congressional Pro-Life caucus, and has voted to prevent federal tax dollars from being used for abortion-related services.
After redistricting following the 2020 census, Michigan’s congressional map was significantly redrawn, and the 2nd district lost much of its urban and suburban population. Huizenga’s home in Holland, along with southern Ottawa County and northern Allegan County, was merged with the Kalamazoo-based 6th district to form a new 4th district. He opted to run there after 18-term incumbent Fred Upton retired, and he easily won a seventh term by defeating Democratic nominee Jessica Swartz and Curtis Clark of the U.S. Taxpayers Party.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Huizenga’s career is his 2010 primary victory over a crowded Republican field to succeed Pete Hoekstra, which marked his entry into Congress. His decision to sign the 2020 amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania drew national attention and public criticism from Democratic leadership, while reinforcing his standing with conservative voters in his district. His successful transition from the old 2nd district to the newly drawn 4th district in 2022 added to a record of unbroken electoral wins since he first reached Congress.
Bill Huizenga Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Huizenga comes from a Dutch American family with deep roots in West Michigan. He is the co-owner and operator of the Huizenga Gravel Company, a family business based in Jenison, Michigan, which has long been a part of the region’s working economy. His family ties to the area and its business community have shaped both his political career and his approach to public service.
Huizenga married his wife, Natalie, in 1993. The couple has five children and lives in Holland, Michigan. Huizenga attends Haven Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland, reflecting the religious heritage of his Dutch American background.