Hillary Scholten

Hillary Scholten is an American politician and attorney currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 3rd congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, she has held this position since January 2023. Scholten is notable for being the first woman to represent her district, which encompasses much of the urban core of West Michigan, including Grand Rapids. Her election marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the area, as she is the first Democrat to hold this seat since 1977.

Early life and career

Hillary Scholten was born on February 22, 1982, in Michigan. She grew up in Hudsonville, a suburb located near Grand Rapids. Her upbringing was influenced by her family background; her mother was a public school teacher, while her father worked as a sports journalist for The Grand Rapids Press. Scholten's heritage includes Dutch ancestry, as her great-great-grandparents emigrated from the Netherlands to West Michigan. Raised in the Christian Reformed Church, a denomination rooted in Calvinist traditions, her early life was shaped by the values and community associated with this faith.

For her education, Scholten attended Unity Christian High School before proceeding to Gordon College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2004. Following her undergraduate studies, she began her professional career as a social worker, focusing on housing advocacy for the AIDS Action Committee. This role helped her gain experience in social issues and community service, which would later inform her political career. Scholten also worked on immigration issues for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, further broadening her understanding of legal and social challenges faced by various communities.

In pursuit of a legal career, Scholten attended the University of Maryland School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree in 2011. After completing her law degree, she clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, specializing in immigration law. This experience provided her with valuable insights into the judicial system and federal immigration policy. Subsequently, she joined the U.S. Department of Justice as an attorney adviser for the Board of Immigration Appeals from 2013 to 2017, where she contributed to federal immigration policy during the Obama administration. After her tenure at the Department of Justice, Scholten returned to Michigan, where she worked as a staff attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and later entered private practice.

House tenure

Hillary Scholten's political career began to take shape when she announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan's 3rd congressional district in July 2019. She was unopposed in the Democratic primary for the 2020 elections but ultimately lost the general election to Republican nominee Peter Meijer. Despite the defeat, Scholten's performance was notable; she secured a higher percentage of the vote than any Democrat had since 1982, indicating a growing competitiveness in the district.

In the 2022 elections, Scholten ran again and was unopposed in the Democratic primary. The political landscape had shifted due to redistricting, making the district more favorable for Democrats. She faced a new Republican challenger, John Gibbs, after Meijer lost his primary. Scholten won the general election with a significant margin, marking her entry into the 118th United States Congress.

Scholten was sworn into office on January 7, 2023. During her tenure, she has been involved in various political activities and has made headlines for her positions on key issues. In 2024, she became the first member of Michigan's congressional delegation to publicly call for President Joe Biden to step aside as the Democratic presidential nominee, a move that drew attention and some backlash from Biden's supporters. Additionally, during a joint session of Congress in March 2025, she participated in a protest by wearing pink alongside members of the Democratic Women's Caucus.

Legislative focus and committees

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Hillary Scholten has focused on several key areas and has been appointed to various committees. She serves on the Committee on Small Business, where she is involved in subcommittees that address contracting, infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Notably, she holds the position of Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development. Additionally, she is a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, participating in subcommittees that cover aviation, maritime transportation, and water resources and environment.

Scholten's legislative priorities reflect her commitment to social issues and community development. She is a member of several caucuses, including the Black Maternal Health Caucus, the Congressional Equality Caucus, and the New Democrat Coalition. She also serves as Vice-Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and co-chairs the Child Labor Prevention Task Force and the Franchise Caucus. Through these roles, Scholten aims to advocate for policies that support women's rights, child welfare, and economic development.

In terms of her political positions, Scholten has expressed support for abortion rights and has been involved in discussions surrounding immigration and humanitarian issues. In 2025, she was one of a group of House Democrats who voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act, showcasing her willingness to collaborate across party lines on certain legislative matters. Furthermore, she has publicly addressed the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, attributing the situation to Hamas's actions.

In her personal life, Scholten was married to Jesse Holcomb, a journalism professor at Calvin University, an institution affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church. They have two sons together. However, in January 2026, Holcomb filed for divorce after 20 years of marriage. Scholten has been an active member of her community and previously served as a deacon at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, although she left the church in 2022 due to disagreements over its stance on LGBTQ+ issues.

Hillary Scholten's journey from a local advocate to a U.S. Representative illustrates her commitment to public service and her engagement with the pressing issues facing her constituents in Michigan's 3rd congressional district. As she continues her legislative work, her focus remains on addressing the needs of her community while navigating the complexities of national politics.