Incumbent Huizenga skips forum where Fourth District candidates talk affordable housing, gun control

EDITOR'S NOTE: A response from Huizenga's team at 9 p.m. Thursday shared a statement from Huizenga for Congress Campaign Chair Jim Barry that said Huizenga had "a previously scheduled event which wound up in the same time frame." The email did not specify what the event was.

WEST MICHIGAN — Three of the four candidates for Michigan’s Fourth Congressional District shared their viewpoints Wednesday, Oct. 19, during a virtual forum hosted by the League of Women Voters.

Joseph Alfonso (Democratic Party), Lorence Wenke (Libertarian Party) and Curtis Michael Clark (U.S. Taxpayers Party) participated in the forum. Incumbent Rep. Bill Huizenga (Republican Party), who currently represents the Second Congressional District, was also invited to participate in the forum but didn't attend.

Huizenga's team did not respond to a request for comment on his absence by deadline Thursday.

The newly drawn Fourth Congressional District comprises several countries, including Allegan and Van Buren and parts of Ottawa, Kalamazoo, Calhoun and Berrien.

Wenke lives in Kalamazoo and is the owner of Wenke Greenhouses. He was a commissioner in Kalamazoo County for eight years, including three as board chair, and served in the Michigan House of Representatives for six years.

“I’m running because I want to make the world a better place,” Wenke said.

Alfonso is originally from the Bronx and moved to the Holland area, where his wife is from. They met as active duty Marines in San Diego. Alfonso has experience in construction, sales, finance, real estate and municipal government.

“I’m passionate about this community and I know the struggles everyday people face," Alfonso said.

Clark is a 25-year Army veteran. He said he believes the country is “heading in the wrong direction.”

“I’m seeing if we can bring some new ideas to the table,” Clark said.

Clark said the first piece of legislation on his wish list, if elected, would be to eliminate the Board (Department) of Education from the federal government — saying it "has gotten too big." Alfonso said his legislation would focus on strong investment within rural communities, including creating community centers.

Wenke said he would focus on paying down the national debt.

Wenke also said immigration issues on the border are “troubling” to him, saying there needs to be “dramatic change” in policy. Clark said policies already in place should be utilized, but noted they can be abused. Alfonso said immigration policy needs to be better streamlined and properly funded.

In terms of gun violence, Clark said the issue should be left to the states before passing more federal policies. Alfonso, a gun owner, said gun safety requirements would provide better protection. Wenke said he welcomes the federal government exploring as many options as possible for gun laws.

Regarding affordable housing, a hot button topic in West Michigan, Clark said he believes children and grandchildren will “lose the American dream” due to increased property taxes. Alfonso said affordable housing is a universal issue and that, instead of offering tax abatements to corporations that move in, the tax base should be utilized to provide funding for affordable housing units near those jobs — reducing traffic on the roads.

Wenke believes affordable housing is a state issue, but doesn’t really know the answer to it, either. He added Kalamazoo County passed a millage that raised $7 million annually for housing issues.

Alfonso said he's been driving through the Fourth Congressional District since the start of the year and wants to travel to communities. He said he’d plan to communicate with residents through a newsletter, host virtual townhalls and attend small group meetings.

Clark said it’s important to know communities, talk to residents and host townhalls to hear their concerns directly. As a media specialist and videographer in the military, Clark said he would also host podcasts to inform residents.

Wenke said it’s important to get to know communities by going to meetings, subscribing to newspapers and talking to residents and elected officials. He encourages people to attend at least one meeting a year to know what’s going on in their communities.

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In their closing statements, Wenke said he will vote in support of Proposal 1, which centers on term limits, and Proposal 2, which centers on voting rules. Wenke said he will vote against Proposal 3, which would secure abortion rights in the Michigan Constitution — saying it’s “too much and too far.”

Clark encouraged voters to vote no on Proposals 2 and 3, saying it “opens (Pandora’s) box to things that (are) not adequately messaged to the people.” Alfonso, to close, said he won’t trade in stocks while in office and added “it’s important to show up and be there for the community and work hard no matter the consequences.”

A recording of the forum is available at publicmedianet.org.

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Huizenga skips virtual candidate forum for Michigan House District 4