Biography
Chris Kleinjans is the Democratic candidate for Michigan State Senate District 31, having defeated Keagan Host in the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary.[1][2] A U.S. Navy veteran who works in the nonprofit sector, he is running against Republican John Wetzel in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][3][2]
Kleinjans earned a high school diploma from Holland High School and a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree from Grand Valley State University.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he described himself as a Navy veteran, husband, father and grandfather who is employed in the nonprofit sector and volunteers to those in need.[3]
In the survey, Kleinjans said he would work to increase the resilience of Michigan businesses hurt by economic factors such as tariffs, push to restore and expand pre-K programming and continued access to free school breakfast and lunch, and advocate for public health resources.[3] He listed his endorsers as MI Rural PAC, the Allegan County Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood, Equality Michigan Action Network, Progressive Women's Alliance, Voters Not Politicians and Moms Demand Action.[3]
- 1.Chris Kleinjans (Michigan State Senate candidate) - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Michigan State Senate elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Chris Kleinjans - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey responses (2026) · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Michigan Senate District 31
Chris Kleinjans is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Michigan Senate District 31 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.