State

State Senator, 31st District

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state senator votes on Michigan laws and the state budget and confirms many of the Governor's appointments.

Covers part of Ottawa and Allegan counties.

Candidates Compare by issue

Chris Kleinjans

Democratic

Nonprofit community worker; military veteran

The gist

Proposes letting downsizing seniors keep their property tax rate
Proposes more by-right housing development
Proposes ending sales tax on diapers and toilet paper
Supports free school breakfast and lunch for all students
Proposes public support for trade schools and apprenticeships
Proposes using tourism assessments for housing infrastructure
Proposes a state Investment Advocate for entrepreneurs

More about Chris

View sources (1)

Proposes letting downsizing seniors keep their property tax rate
Issues — Chris Kleinjans for Michigan Senate District 31
Campaign website · kleinjansformichigan.com
“Allow seniors to keep their favorable property tax rate when they downsize.”
Proposes more by-right housing development
Issues — Chris Kleinjans for Michigan Senate District 31
Campaign website · kleinjansformichigan.com
“Communities should allow more “by-right” development so builders don’t face endless delays.”
Proposes ending sales tax on diapers and toilet paper
Issues — Chris Kleinjans for Michigan Senate District 31
Campaign website · kleinjansformichigan.com
“Eliminating the state sales tax on personal care products like toilet paper and diapers is a start.”
Supports free school breakfast and lunch for all students
Issues — Chris Kleinjans for Michigan Senate District 31
Campaign website · kleinjansformichigan.com
“Offering free school breakfast and lunch to all public school students will ease the grocery bill for working families”
Proposes public support for trade schools and apprenticeships
Issues — Chris Kleinjans for Michigan Senate District 31
Campaign website · kleinjansformichigan.com
“public support for trade schools and apprenticeships is also needed”
Proposes using tourism assessments for housing infrastructure
Issues — Chris Kleinjans for Michigan Senate District 31
Campaign website · kleinjansformichigan.com
“Allowing a portion of tourism assessment fees to be used on infrastructure would take some pressure off of communities”
Proposes a state Investment Advocate for entrepreneurs
Issues — Chris Kleinjans for Michigan Senate District 31
Campaign website · kleinjansformichigan.com
“providing an Investment Advocate to help entrepreneurs navigate local rules”

John Wetzel

Republican

Small-business owner

The gist

Supports extending school choice to private schools
Supports voter ID requirements
Proposes major property tax reform
Opposes renewable energy standards and statewide siting rules
Supports fully funding law enforcement
Proposes cutting state spending to lower taxes
Proposes addressing zoning limits on housing supply

More about John

View sources (1)

Supports extending school choice to private schools
Elect John Wetzel | Michigan State Senate
Campaign website · wetzel4michigan.com
“Expanding school of choice options to not only public schools but private schools as well.”
Supports voter ID requirements
Elect John Wetzel | Michigan State Senate
Campaign website · wetzel4michigan.com
“Promote voter ID standards that protect the integrity of the process.”
Proposes major property tax reform
Elect John Wetzel | Michigan State Senate
Campaign website · wetzel4michigan.com
“Michigan needs major property tax reform.”
Opposes renewable energy standards and statewide siting rules
Elect John Wetzel | Michigan State Senate
Campaign website · wetzel4michigan.com
“The potential for AI data centers, unachievable renewable energy standards and one-size-fits-all zoning and siting ordinances deter families and businesses”
Supports fully funding law enforcement
Elect John Wetzel | Michigan State Senate
Campaign website · wetzel4michigan.com
“I support properly funding our law enforcement and providing the resources they need to do their jobs”
Proposes cutting state spending to lower taxes
Elect John Wetzel | Michigan State Senate
Campaign website · wetzel4michigan.com
“Cut unnecessary state spending to reduce the tax burden on families and small businesses.”
Proposes addressing zoning limits on housing supply
Elect John Wetzel | Michigan State Senate
Campaign website · wetzel4michigan.com
“Address zoning challenges that limit supply and drive up costs.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.