The city of Gowen, Michigan, is a small rural community located in Montcalm County. The population is estimated to be just over 400 people. Despite its small size, the residents of Gowen remain passionate about their local politics and are highly engaged in the political process. Local elections often draw large numbers of voters to the polls as individuals strive to make an impact on their community's future. Participation in civic activities such as town hall meetings and social groups also help ensure that the voices of all citizens are heard. Several candidates have recently run for local office, emphasizing platforms focused on improving public schools and ensuring access to quality healthcare for all residents. These candidates have helped bring attention to important issues affecting the lives of Gowen’s citizens, and their commitment to making positive changes will no doubt benefit the entire community for years to come.
The political climate in Zip 49326 (Gowen, MI) is leaning conservative.
Kent County, MI is leaning liberal. In Kent County, MI 51.9% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election, 45.8% voted for the Republican Party, and the remaining 2.3% voted Independent.
In the last Presidential election, Kent county flipped moderately Democratic, 51.9% to 45.8%.
Kent county flipped Democratic in 2020, after voting Republican in four of the last six Presidential elections.
The BestPlaces liberal/conservative index
Zip 49326 (Gowen, MI) is leaning conservative.
Gowen, Michigan is leaning conservative.
Kent County, Michigan is leaning liberal.
Grand Rapids-Kentwood Metro Area is leaning conservative.
Michigan is leaning liberal.
The BestPlaces liberal/conservative index is based on recent voting in national elections, federal campaign contributions by local residents, and consumer personality profiles.
VoteWord™
Displaying 20 years of Presidential voting, visualized in one word.
Gowen, Michigan: R R d r r d
How It Works:
Here at BestPlaces, we were looking at the voting patterns since the 2000 election and realized that we could express the results of each election as one letter. R if the Republican Party candidate won, D for the Democrat and I for the Independent. The six elections (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020) would be expressed as six-letter word (R R D R R).
Then we went a little further and added the dimension of magnitude. If the difference of victory was greater than 10 percent, the letter is upper case, and lower case if the difference was less than 10 percent. This allows us to see interesting voting patterns at just a glance.
Here's the VoteWord for Iowa d r d d r. In the last six elections the state has been closely contested, voting narrowly for the Republican Party candidate in 2016 and 2020 after voting for the Democratic Party in 2008 and 2012. Virginia (r r d d d D) has voted for the Democratic Party in the last three elections.
Individual Campaign Contributions in zip 49326 (Gowen)
In the last 4 years (2018-2021), there were 24 contributions totaling $1,190 to the Democratic Party and liberal campaigns, averaging $50 per contribution.
In the last 4 years, there were 7 contributions totaling $1,842 to the Republican Party and conservative campaigns, averaging $263 per contribution.
(source: Federal Election Commission)