Jerry Zandstra
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Gerald "Jerry" Zandstra is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church and a conservative activist from Michigan. He is the head of the Pro-Life Federation of Michigan. He has one son Jacob, and two daughters, Thomas and James. He is married to Mary Van Duyn.
Politics
Zandstra sought the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2006, for the seat now held by Democrat Debbie Stabenow, who is running for re-election. Running as an outsider candidate with little funding, Zandstra failed to make the ballot after the Michigan Secretary of State's office determined he filed too few signatures (712 short of 15,000). Zandstra decided not to legally challenge that determination despite his claim to the Board of Canvassers that enough of the 1400 challenged signatures were legally valid.
Zandstra was most noted for his support of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, or Proposal 2. He was the only Senate candidate in the Republican field that supported the initiative, which eventually went on to win 58% - 42%.
On August 1, 2006, Zandstra announced his support for Keith Butler at a press conference held in Grand Rapids. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, the front-runner, went on to win the Republican primary, but lost to Stabenow in the general election.
Miscellaneous
Zandstra holds a Bachelor's degree, two Master's degrees, a Doctor of Divinity, and is completing a second doctorate from the Western Michigan University School of Public Affairs. He has taught in several colleges and graduate schools, focusing mostly on economics and leadership. He is a former director of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty. He has published articles in newspapers throughout the United States and has traveled the world extensively. Zandstra was an advisor to the Kenyan Constitutional Committee.
Zandstra serves as the chairman for the Michigan chapter of Americans for Prosperity.
He currently is preaching at Wayland CRC and Hillside Community Church.
Zandstra recently starred as the Reverend Wells in the film "The Genesis Code".
External links
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