Though Fourth District Republican Congressman Bill Huizenga is regarded as almost a shoo-in for re-election in 2024, two Democratic opponents have thrown their hats in the ring.

Joseph Alfonso, who was trounced in the 2022 general election and failed to qualify for the primary ballot in August of that year, has indicated he will try again. He received only about 42.5% of the vote, about 12 percentage points below the totals for the incumbent Huizenga. 

However, former Department of Veterans Affairs Attorney Jessica Swartz of Kalamazoo has announced she will run for the office, pointing to the fact Gov. Gretchen Whitmer won the district  in 2022. The Fourth District includes all of Allegan County, the lakeshore with Holland and Grand Haven and Ottawa County and suburban Grand Rapids.

Much of the district used to be represented by Republican Fred Upton until he retired two years ago.

A former attorney for Western Michigan University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Swartz has pledged to bring common sense solutions to the challenges facing West Michigan communities.

“Everywhere I go – from Girl Scout troop meetings to church on Sunday mornings – I hear from West Michiganders who are sick and tired of partisan politics and want a representative focused on passing common sense solutions for working families,” Swartz said.“From bringing down costs for all working people, to preserving our Great Lakes, to protecting abortion rights, I am ready to deliver bipartisan wins for our communities on day one.”She noted that Huizenga voted against the bipartisan infrastructure package to help fix Michigan’s roads and protect Michigan drinking water. He also voted against the bipartisan CHIPS Act, which strengthened the United States’ supply chain and helped American manufacturers stand up to China.He even co-sponsored a complete and total ban on abortions – including in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.

After competing in rowing at the Division 1 level at Michigan State University, Swartz earned her law degree at American University Washington College of Law. She was an appellate attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

She and her husband, Jamie, a former Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, moved back to West Michigan to be close to family and raise their daughter. She continued her work for the VA in Battle Creek before taking a job at Western Michigan University, where she specialized in free speech cases and served as Deputy General Counsel.