Pete Hoekstra

This article is about the American politician and diplomat. For the Dutch footballer, see Peter Hoekstra (footballer).

Pete Hoekstra
Chair of the Michigan Republican Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 20, 2024
Preceded byMalinda Pego (acting)
United States Ambassador to the Netherlands
In office
January 10, 2018 – January 17, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byShawn Crowley (Acting)
Succeeded byMarja 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 byGuy Vander Jagt (redistricting)
Succeeded byBill Huizenga
Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee
In office
January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded byJane Harman
Succeeded byDutch Ruppersberger
Chair of the House Intelligence Committee
In office
September 23, 2004 – January 3, 2007
Preceded byPorter Goss
Succeeded bySilver Reyes
Personal details
Born
Cornelis Pieter Hoekstra

(1953-10-30) October 30, 1953 (age 71)
Groningen, Netherlands
Political partyRepublican
SpouseDiane Johnson
Children3
EducationHope College (BA)
University of Michigan (MBA)
Pete Hoekstra's voice
Hoekstra, as chair of the House Intelligence Committee, speaks in support of Patriot Act reauthorization
Recorded July 21, 2005

Cornelis Piet "Pete" Hoekstra (/ˈhʊkstrə/; born October 30, 1953)[1][2] 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.

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.[3] This nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 9, 2017,[4] and Hoekstra was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador on December 11, 2017.[5] He took office on January 10, 2018.[6] He left office on January 17, 2021.

On January 20, 2024, Hoekstra was elected chair of the Michigan Republican Party.[7]

  1. ^ INTERVIEW; Pete Hoekstra baalt van valse start: "Wie wil er nu zo beginnen?" on YouTube.
  2. ^ "'Stadjer' Pete Hoekstra bevestigd als nieuwe Amerikaanse ambassadeur" ['Stadjer' Pete Hoekstra confirmed as new American ambassador] (in Dutch). Nu.nl. November 11, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  3. ^ Todd Spangler (July 24, 2017). "President Donald Trump nominates U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra to be Dutch ambassador". The Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  4. ^ "PN831 — Peter Hoekstra — Department of State". U.S. Congress. November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference sworn-in-ambassador was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Nieuwe VS-ambassadeur treedt op 10 januari aan" [New US ambassador takes office on January 10] (in Dutch). Algemeen Dagblad. January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  7. ^ Schuster, Simon (January 20, 2024). "Former Congressman Pete Hoekstra elected leader of breakaway Michigan GOP faction". mlive.