Incumbent Ponstein defeats Riley in race for Kent County 7th District seat

KENT COUNTY, MI - Incumbent Republican Stan Ponstein has defeated Democrat Sonia Riley in the Nov. 5 general election for the Kent County Commission's 7th District seat, according to unofficial election results from the Kent County Clerk's Office.

The 7th District encompasses all of Grandville, along with a portion of Wyoming north of 44th Street and west of Burlingame Avenue.

Ponstein came in first place with 8,906 votes and 53.75%, beating Riley, who received 7,590 votes and 45.81%, according to the clerk's office.

General election results are considered unofficial until they are certified.

Republican Ponstein, 64, has served the district since 2008. He's an employee of Costco Wholesale's member services department who also previously served on the Grandville City Council from 2001 to 2008, the Grandville Parks and Recreation Board from 1980 to 1998, the Grandville School Board from 1980 to 2001 and the Kent County Land Bank from 2010 to 2018.

His opponent, Democrat Sonia Riley, 50, is an office manager for STEM Greenhouse, as well as a doula and minister. She previously worked as a community health worker and educator with the Strong Beginnings - Healthy Start, a federal program created to improve maternal health outcomes.

Grand Rapids"