Kiel Reid

Kiel Reid (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Michigan House of Representatives to represent District 88. Reid is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. Reid advanced from the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Kiel Reid is a small business owner, community builder, and lifelong West Michigan resident who believes public service should be grounded in real life. Kiel lives in Norton Shores with his wife and their two daughters, who attend Mona Shores Public Schools. This community isn’t just where Kiel works; it’s where he grew up, where he’s raising his family, and where he’s invested his life.

Kiel didn’t grow up around politicians, he grew up around people trying to get by. Kiel believes government works best when it listens first. Instead of bringing ideology or drama to Lansing, he wants to bring the perspective of someone who lives the same reality as the people he represents: raising kids, running a business, and trying to build a stable future in the place he calls home.

Running a small business has also given Kiel experience with the challenges families and local entrepreneurs face every day: rising costs, unstable infrastructure, housing that’s becoming harder to afford, and systems that feel stacked against regular people. Those experiences are a big part of why he decided to run for the Michigan House of Representatives.

Kiel believes government can’t solve all our problems, but it should make life more stable.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability:

Energy costs are increasing while our politicians are giving utility companies free rein because those companies are the ones funding their campaigns. I don’t take any corporate dollars because I work for you, not them. I'll introduce legislation capping rate increases for the next 3 years to give Michiganders the relief they need.

House payments shouldn’t be a surprise. I will introduce a bill freezing property taxes for the first 5 years after buying a home for first-time buyers and seniors looking to downsize. This will give seniors the confidence they need to downsize into homes that better suit their needs and open up more homes for families. It will also give first-time buyers the stability they need.Healthcare:

Drug prices are up, quality of care is down, and people don’t know how to plan for their medical futures, much less an emergency today.

For me, everything comes back to affordability and prescription costs are just too high (about 300% higher in the US than in Canada). I will help push the bipartisan Wholesale Prescription Drug Importation Act across the finish line to give Michigan the ability to buy patented prescription medications directly from Canada.

We must protect our healtchare workers by ending forced overtime for nurses outside of declared emergencies.

I will also regulate hospital consolidation and hold insurance companies accountable for enabling quality care rather than standing in its way.Environment:

Data centers are a drain on resources, raise energy prices, and take an unmeasured toll on the community through noise and light pollution. Legislation is on the docket to put a one year moratorium on all data centers, but it won't pass unless we get some Democrats in to represent the voice of the people, not the interest of big corporate dollars.

In rural areas of our district, farms, businesses and homes draw on wells for water, but they’re drying up. We need to extend the municipal supply from the lake further inland to reach rural neighbors, but in order to do that, we have to compete with private businesses interested in that water, like data centers. I will stand against big money to get my neighbors their water.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about ending the corporate welfare state and getting money out of politics. Corporations are benefitting from tax breaks across the board– from tax write-offs for vacant storefronts to breaks for data centers. I understand why my fellow lawmakers have had a hard time on this so far. It’s hard to ask your boss for more money, and right now 70% of Michigan state reps are taking extra paychecks from corporations and lobbyists on top of their actual salaries. Fortunately, I’m not taking any corporate donations or PAC dollars, so I’m more than happy to force corporations to pay their fair share.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Progressive Democratic Women’s Caucus

MI List

The Michigan Association for Justice

Chris McGuigan, Muskegon County Commissioner, District 4

Brianna T. Scott, Michigan State University Trustee

Jessica Cook, Muskegon County Commissioner, District 6