(Source: MIRS.news, Published 07/28/2023) After several decades of supporting mainly Republican legislators, entrepreneur and business community leader J.C. Huizenga has given at least $30,000 to Democrats in the first quarter of 2023, according to campaign finance reports released by the Secretary of State.
Huizenga, chair of the Huizenga Manufacturing Group and founder of the charter school organization National Heritage Academies, has also chaired the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
His contributions in the past, according to Michigan Campaign Finance, have been mostly to Republican legislative candidates and the Ottawa and Kent County Republican Committees.
But so far in 2023, Huizenga has given to a long list of Democrats, including a July 14 contribution of $20,000 to the Michigan House Democratic Fund.
“Republicans should join JC’s spirit of bipartisanship and find ways to work with Democrats to improve the value proposition that for-profit charter schools provide to working families,” said political consultant John Yob when asked about the contributions.
Huizenga has given to the fund before, with $5,000 gifts in 2013 and 2014, and he has also given to the Senate Democratic Fund, with $1,000 gifts in 2007 and 2008, and $5,000 gifts in 2016 and 2017.
This time around, Huizenga contributed $5,000 to Appropriations Chair Angela Witwer (D-Lansing)’s Witwer for Michigan PAC, along with $1,000 to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ’s Gretchen Whitmer for Governor PAC, $1,000 to Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), $1,000 to Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) along with $500 to Reps. Carol Glanville (D-Grand Rapids), Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) and Mike Mcfall (D-Hazel Park).
He also gave to some Republicans, as well, including $500 to Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-Coloma), Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington), Sen. Roger Hauck (R-Union Twp.) and Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport). He gave $2,450 to Sen. Mark Huizenga (R-Walker), $1,000 to Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville) and $1,000 to Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton).
He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
