Pete Hoekstra

Who is Pete Hoekstra?

Peter "Pete" Hoekstra is a Dutch-American politician who is a former member United States House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 2nd congressional district from 1993 to 2011. Hoekstra is a member of the Republican Party.

Born in Groningen, Netherlands, Hoekstra is the graduate of Hope College and the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. In 1992, Hoekstra ran for the U.S. House, defeating 13 term incumbent Guy Vander Jagt in the Republican primary, and Democratic opponent John H. Miltner, in the general election. After the appointment of Congressman Porter Goss as Director of the CIA, Hoekstra became the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, serving from 2004 to 2007. He was a candidate for Governor of Michigan in Michigan's 2010 gubernatorial election, but came in second to Rick Snyder in the republican primary. Hoekstra was also a candidate for the United States Senate in 2012. He won the Republican primary with 54% of the vote, but later lost to Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow in the general election.