Longtime west Michigan meteorologist Terri DeBoer is running for Congress, aiming to flip a Grand Rapids-based seat that’s turned into a stronghold for Democrats in recent elections.
DeBoer, a Republican, seeks to challenge U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, this November. Scholten has represented Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District since 2022. DeBoer’s campaign filed a statement of organization with the Federal Elections Commission on Wednesday, March 4, records show.
“Each day American families sit around their kitchen tables making the hard choices to pay the bills and provide food for their families,” DeBoer said on her campaign website. “Congress has failed them over and over again by focusing on political games and special interests. There will be a lot to get done when I am in Congress, but off the bat I will prioritize policies that lower the cost of living for West Michiganders, protect the vulnerable among us, and keep our communities safe.”
While it’s carried a reputation for producing prominent Republicans like former President Gerald R. Ford and the influential DeVos family, among others, Kent County in general has drifted toward Democrats over the past decade. Despite President Donald Trump carrying Michigan in 2024, former Vice President Kamala Harris won Kent County by almost 20,000 votes, or around five percentage points, when she was the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. The top-of-ticket Democrat has won Kent County in every statewide election dating back to 2018. Still, with races for a new governor and a U.S. Senate seat on the ballot this year, Kent County will likely be a battleground for both parties as they try to convince voters.
DeBoer most recently worked for FOX-17 (WXMI), having announced her departure from the station in February. She spent the bulk of her career at WOOD TV-8, a local NBC affiliate. She’s the first Republican candidate to announce a run in the 3rd District this year, according to campaign filings.
You can reach Arpan Lobo at alobo@freepress.com