ISHPEMING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The League of Women Voters of Marquette County held a public forum Tuesday evening for candidates running for Ishpeming City Council.
Of the eight names technically on Ishpeming’s November ballot, all were invited, but five were in attendance. Residents heard their questions answered by each individual candidate, touching on topics like the city’s declining operating funds, and favorability toward its upcoming library millage.
Three total seats are up for election. Those include a mayoral position, and both a full term and partial term council position.
Both Mayoral candidates participated. These are Jason Chapman, who has served the city council for seven total years and as Mayor in 2022; And Brett Argall, a member of the Ishpeming DDA, with a business background as the general manager of the area’s Ace Hardware.
Two of three candidates participated for the City Council full term position. This included William Anderson Jr., after 25 years of working in multiple levels of government around the county, including the Ishpeming Public Works Director; and Collin Fleury, a current president and previous treasurer of IBEW Local906.
For the City Council partial term, one candidate of two participated. This was Andrea Jackson, who has served on multiple boards with the city, and plans to carry her experience with the DDA into a position.
Those remaining on the ballot are Claudia Demarest for the partial term position and Kurt Kipling for the full term position. Justin White for partial term is still on ballot but has dropped from the race.
The LWV of Marquette County says while holding these events to the greater Ishpeming area, answering the concerns of residents is crucial to a vote, no matter how many people may be in the audience.
“The population isn’t as large, we don’t get as large an audience, but we get a very intent audience when we do,” said LWV Organizer Jo Foley. “I think it’s very important for local people to hear their would-be officials talking with them and answering their questions.”
Voters will make their decisions on November 3, and winners of the positions will officially assume their roles in December. For the League of Women Voters’ livestream of the event, visit their Youtube page.
