We are thrilled to celebrate that Kent County residents voted to pass the Kent County Sports & Entertainment Facilities Proposal. There was strong support from communities county-wide for Destination Kent.
We will now be continuing to work with Grand Action 2.0, the Kent County Commission and other partners on the next steps to successfully support the Acrisure Amphitheater and proposed soccer stadium.
These projects will generate $1.2 billion in new economic growth, create hundreds of jobs, and drive West Michigan’s growth for the next generation. The public and private investment will add to our magnetic community and improve the quality of life for current and future residents. Read more here.
Kent County Proposals:
- PASSED // Destination Kent: As noted above, the hotel/motel tax increase passed with 53.6% of the vote.
- PASSED // Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage: With 59% of the vote the millage passed, renewing the effort to assist children in Kent County enter kindergarten prepared for success.
- PASSED // Kent District Library: Passing with 56.2% of the vote, the Kent District Library will receive funding for its 2025 fiscal year.
Grand Rapids Mayor & Commission (top 2 advance):
- Mayor: David LaGrand and Senita Lenar come out of the August 6th primary as the two remaining candidates and with 59.8% and 20% respectively. They will face each other in November for the Mayoral general election.
- First Ward Commissioner: Dean Pacific received the highest percentage of votes with 36.77%, followed by AliciaMarie Belchak with 30.72%. They will compete in November for the West-side Commission seat being vacated by Commissioner Jon O’Connor.
- Third Ward Commissioner: In the closest and most crowded GR primary, Commissioner Bing Goei and Marshall Kilgore came out on top in the field of six candidates with 29.92% and 27.88% of the vote respectively.
Kent County Commission:
- District 2: Elizabeth Morse defeated Joel Langlois in the Republican primary, receiving 51.95% of the vote. She will run unopposed in the November general election.
- District 10: Robin Halsted defeated Bill Hirsch in the Republican primary, with 52.3% of the vote. She will face Roselund Harris, the sole Democratic candidate in the race come November.
- District 17: Former Commissioner Robert Womack defeated incumbent Tony Baker in the Democratic Primary with 56.01%.
- District 18: Steve Faber came out victorious over Dan Hesse and James Rinck in the Democratic Primary with 49.4% of the vote. He will compete against Tim Allen, who won the Republican Primary over Josie Kornev with 61% of the vote.
Ottawa County Commission:
Michigan Legislature:
- District 78th: Incumbent State Representative Gina Johnsen defeated Jon Rocha in the Republican primary with 75.3% of the vote. She will face Christine Terpening, the sole Democrat in the race, in November.
Congress and Senate:
- Michigan 3rd Congressional: Paul Hudson defeated Michael Markey with 57.1% of the vote in the Republican Primary. He will face Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, the incumbent Democrat, in November.
- Michigan Senate: In the Republican Primary, former Congressman Mike Rodgers defeated Justin Amash and Sherry O’Donnell, receiving 49.75% of the vote. He will face Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, who defeated Hill Harper in the Democratic primary with 78.3% of the vote.
