(Source: MIRS.news, Published 05/07/2024) Chris Kleinjans, a community nutrition instructor, unseated Ottawa County Commissioner Lucy Ebel, a part of the controversial Ottawa Impact alt-conservative coalition, by a 60 to 40 percent margin Tuesday evening, costing Ottawa Impact a functional majority on the board. Kleinjans, 56, was elected to the District 2 position as a Democrat. After the election results are certified Monday, he will be on the commission until this November's election, where it's expected he will face Ebel again.
The unofficial final results have Kleinjans at 2,502 votes to Ebel's 1,665. With the recall, the Ottawa County Commissioners now have five of its 11 members connected to Ottawa Impact, a Christian-based sect of conservatives who gained steam during the pandemic for pushing back against mask and vaccine requirements. Eight Ottawa Impact-affiliated commissioners were elected in 2022, but Rebekah Curran and Jacob Bonnema have since distanced themselves from the group.
With Ebel recalled, Chair Joe Moss no longer has a majority on the board. Kleinjans becomes the board's second Democrat.
“I am grateful and humbled that the hardworking people of this district have put their trust and confidence in me,” said Kleinjans. “The voters of District 2 made it clear that they reject the chaos, fiscal irresponsibility, and disrespect for county employees that exemplify Lucy Ebel and Ottawa Impact’s style of government, and I will work every day to turn that around.”
Kleinjans credits his success to the scores of volunteers who helped knock on doors, make phone calls, and display campaign signs at busy intersections. He noted that many of those volunteers were not District 2 residents themselves. “This election was a referendum on Ottawa Impact,” said Kleinjans. “We got buy-in from people throughout the county who had a vested interest in our success, because a win in May for responsible government is a harbinger for August and November.
“I’m looking forward to learning more about the great work this county does from the dedicated staff in our county offices,” added Kleinjans. “But I’m most interested in those areas I heard about from the people I met in District 2 while canvassing. Namely, our housing shortage and the condition of the road network. Personally, I hope to influence the board into adhering to an ethics policy in our decision-making as well as advocate for funding a coordinator for Ottawa Food.”
