Michigan's 3rd congressional district
Michigan's 3rd congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in West Michigan. From 2003 to 2013, it consisted of the counties of Barry and Ionia, as well as all except the northwestern portion of Kent, including the city of Grand Rapids. In 2012 redistricting, the district was extended to Battle Creek. In 2022, the district was condensed to the greater Grand Rapids and Muskegon areas, including portions of Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties. Redistricting removed Barry, Calhoun, and Ionia counties.
The district is currently represented by Hillary Scholten, a member of the Democratic Party.
Counties and municipalities
For the 118th and successive Congresses, the district contains all or portions of the following counties and municipalities:[Kent County, Michigan|Kent County, Michigan|Kent 'County] '
Muskegon County '
Ottawa County' ''''''
History
Prior to 1993, the 3rd congressional district largely consisted of Calhoun and Eaton counties, about half of Lansing and surrounding Ingham County, and most of Kalamazoo County. With the redistricting, the old 3rd district was split between the 6th and 7th congressional districts, with Kalamazoo going to the 6th district and most of Lansing going to the 8th district. Meanwhile, the new 3rd district was redrawn to become the Grand Rapids-based district, covering much of the territory which had previously constituted the 5th district from 1873 to 1993.No Democrat had represented Grand Rapids in Congress since Richard Vander Veen from 1974 to 1977, prior to redistricting due to the 1990 census, which took effect in 1993 and moved Grand Rapids from the 5th to the 3rd congressional district. However, following the 2020 census, the 3rd district was redrawn once again. It lost the more rural portions of Kent County, and was pushed westward to grab the more urban portion of Muskegon County along with northern Ottawa County, which had previously been in the 2nd district. In the 2022 midterm elections Democratic candidate Hillary Scholten was chosen to represent the district.