Kent County, Michigan

Michigan House District 81

See where Wooden and DeBoer stand on housing, schools and jobs. Names follow official Kent County election filings.

About this race

Incumbent Democrat Stephen Wooden of Grand Rapids is seeking re-election against Republican nominee Holly DeBoer, per the Kent County Clerk's candidate list. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Michigan › Kent County › Michigan House District 81

Stephen Wooden

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

Bring down housing costs
Expand affordable childcare
Strengthen public schools and job training

Biography

Wooden was a Kent County Commissioner for six years and, per the site, has helped develop or renovate nearly 1,000 apartments and homes and helped businesses and homeowners save on utility bills through energy efficiency and rooftop solar, per the campaign site. The site describes Wooden as Rep. Stephen Wooden in a first term and as running for re-election, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Holly DeBoer

Republican

Biography

Holly DeBoer appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Michigan House District 81, per the county clerk's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 4, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Holly DeBoer.

Next on your ballotMichigan House District 82

See your full ballot

Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Michigan House District 81 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Michigan House District 81 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Stephen Wooden and Holly DeBoer. Candidate information follows official Kent County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below. See where they stand on housing, schools and jobs.

When is the Michigan House District 81 election in Michigan?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Michigan are on the Michigan election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Kent County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Kent County and state election office filings, last verified October 19, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Michigan election office, or see the full Kent County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Kent County ballot

42 tracked races in Kent County, Michigan. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Michigan House District 83 Michigan House District 84 Michigan House District 89 See all 42 Kent County races

Candidate profiles

Stephen Wooden, full profile Holly DeBoer, full profile Official Michigan election office