September 15, 2009 - 3:57pm
Former Michigan tight end to run for congressional seat
BY JENNA SKOLLER
Jay Riemersma, former Wolverine and NFL tight end, has decided to run for a southwestern Michigan congressional seat.
Riemersma, a Republican, announced his plans to run Monday morning at Symphony Park in Holland, Mich. for the seat currently held by Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R - Holland), who has announced he is running for governor next year, the Associated Press reported.
After Riemersma retired from the NFL in 2004, he was a coach at Zeeland East High School in Holland, Mich. until 2007. Then, according to mlive.com, he took a job as Midwest director for the Family Research Council, a Christian conservative think tank and lobbying organization.
Riemersma’s chief rival is considered to be former state lawmaker Bill Huizenga of Zeeland. Fruitport businessman Bill Cooper of Fruitport is also in the race.
