Biography
Kerry Tapper is the Democratic candidate for Michigan House of Representatives District 39 in the November 3, 2026 general election, against incumbent Pauline Wendzel (R) and Jared Polonowski (G).[1][2] A business owner in Paw Paw, she was also the Democratic nominee in the district in 2024.[1][3]
Tapper was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, graduated from Boyne City High School, and earned a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University in 1991.[1] Her career experience includes working as a business owner, and in a 2024 Ballotpedia survey she said she and her husband have run a sign and decorated apparel company in Paw Paw for 30 years.[1][3] As of 2024, Ballotpedia listed her affiliations as including the Greater Paw Paw Chamber of Commerce, the Paw Paw Downtown Development Authority and the Paw Paw Public Schools Superintendent Advisory Committee.[1]
Tapper defeated Zachary Shinabargar in the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026.[1] In 2024 she defeated Polonowski in the Democratic primary and then lost the general election to Wendzel.[1] In the 2024 survey she said she wants state government to use tax dollars efficiently and transparently and that everyone should have easy access to medical and mental health care.[3]
- 1.Kerry Tapper · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Kerry Tapper - Candidate Connection survey (2024) · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Michigan House District 39
Kerry Tapper is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Michigan House District 39 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
