Pete Hoekstra
Cornelis Piet "Pete" Hoekstra (/ˈhʊkstrə/; born October 30, 1953) is a Dutch-American politician who served as the United States Ambassador to the Netherlands from January 10, 2018, to January 17, 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the U.S. representative for Michigan's 2nd congressional district from 1993 to 2011.
Pete Hoekstra | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Michigan Republican Party | |
| Assumed office January 20, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Malinda Pego (acting) |
| United States Ambassador to the Netherlands | |
| In office January 10, 2018 – January 17, 2021 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Shawn Crowley (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Marja Verloop (Chargé d’Affaires) |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 2nd district | |
| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Guy Vander Jagt (redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | Bill Huizenga |
| Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Jane Harman |
| Succeeded by | Dutch Ruppersberger |
| Chair of the House Intelligence Committee | |
| In office September 23, 2004 – January 3, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Porter Goss |
| Succeeded by | Silver Reyes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cornelis Pieter Hoekstra October 30, 1953 Groningen, Netherlands |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Diane Johnson |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Hope College (BA) University of Michigan (MBA) |
Born in the Netherlands, Hoekstra immigrated to the United States as a child. In 1992, Hoekstra ran for the U.S. House, defeating thirteen-term incumbent Guy Vander Jagt in the Republican primary and Democratic opponent John H. Miltner in the general election. Hoekstra was the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee from 2004 to 2007. He was a candidate for governor in Michigan's 2010 gubernatorial election, but came in second to Rick Snyder in the Republican primary. Hoekstra was also the Republican nominee for the United States Senate in 2012, losing to Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow in the general election.
In July 2017, Hoekstra was nominated to be United States Ambassador to the Netherlands by President Donald Trump. This nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 9, 2017, and Hoekstra was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador on December 11, 2017. He took office on January 10, 2018. He left office on January 17, 2021. On January 20, 2024, Hoekstra was elected Chair of the Michigan Republican Party.