Former Pro Football Player Running to Succeed Hoekstra in Congress

The Chicago Tribune ^ | June 10, 2009

[Clintonfatigued]

Former Michigan and Buffalo Bills tight end Jay Riemersma has designs on Congress.

Riemersma has filed paperwork to run for U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra's (HUCK'-struhz) 2nd District seat in southwestern Michigan. Hoekstra, a Republican, has announced his candidacy for governor in 2010.

Riemersma also is a Republican. He is listed as Regional Director of Development on the web site of the Family Research Council.

[Clintonfatigued]

Of all the Republicans either running or thinking of running, Riemersma appears to be the most conservative.

[Brilliant]

They can vote for each other and (given the fact that virtually everyone has moved out of the state already), they will be sure to win.

[Thebaddog]

Hoekstra is running for governor. He is a great friend of FR and I hope he succeeds.

[ElayneJ]

“Hoekstra is running for governor.”

I didn’t know this. Great news!

[TribalPrincess2U]

Hoekstra it is...

Series, I will check him out.

[ak267]

Meanwhile, in the Hoekstra offices.....

“Paging Sarah Palin....paging Sarah Palin.”

[KC_Conspirator]

I wonder how long it will take Michigan to stop voting for democrats, which have given them such misery and high unemployment.

[cripplecreek]

Huckstra?

LOL

I’ve always pronounced it Hokestra.

[SeaHawkFan]

Because his name seems to be of Dutch origin, the proper pronuciation would be closer to Hook-stra (with a short ‘a’)

[God luvs America]

if Riemersma can be half as accomplished in congress as he was on the football field he’ll do wonders...he was always a guy who had limited physical skills but was just a smart, tough, savvy tight end...

[grellis]

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

[nhwingut]

[Arguendo]

Not just Dutch origin—he was actually born in the Netherlands.

[SunkenCiv]

Riemersma also is a Republican. He is listed as Regional Director of Development on the web site of the Family Research Council.

Thanks grellis.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Not just Dutch origin—he was actually born in the Netherlands.

Great. Another foreigner running for MI Governor.

[justiceseeker93]

I had seen this story before on the Detroit News site.

Riemmersma wouldn't be the first former professional athlete to make it to Congress, although there have been only a few. Former pro football players who come to mind are Jack Kemp, J. C. Watts, and Steve Largent - all Republicans. I believe there is on current Dem now.

[Impy]

He was 3 when he came here, who cares.

[Impy]

“He is a great friend of FR”

He is?