Michigan
Running for: House of Representatives District 81
Stephen Wooden is running for state representative in District 81. In his time in Grand Rapids, he has worked relentlessly to assist everyday Michigan residents to save money, from cutting energy bills to constructing affordable housing. Growing up in New York City, he observed the great solidarity that arose following the 9/11 attacks. This encounter showed him that individuals from different backgrounds want the same things: secure communities, excellent schools, and the ability to support their families. Stephen's commitment to developing solutions based on these shared goals has served as a guiding concept throughout his career.
As Kent County Commissioner since 2018 and current Minority Vice-Chair, Stephen has a track record of achieving results. He has advocated for bipartisan measures to combat lead poisoning, enhance emergency mental health care, and boost broadband availability. Most notably, Stephen oversaw the establishment of the Kent County Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Fund, which received $17.5 million in federal monies and has developed into a $58.3 million public-private partnership—the largest of its type in West Michigan. Stephen's leadership is centered on bringing people together to safeguard what is most important, from cutting housing prices and expanding childcare to preserving reproductive rights and addressing climate change.