Battle Creek Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Mark A. Behnke
Candidate for Mayor (incumbent)
Mark A. Behnke, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Battle Creek in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Tino W. Smith and Lynn Ward Gray.
Election Day · Tue, Nov 3, 2026
Mayor of Battle Creek, first elected in November 1991 and re-elected in November 2024.
Where Mark A. Behnke stands: positions on the record
Priorities1 sourced position
as summarized by Battle Creek Podcast; not a direct quote
Said housing, public safety and tax relief are the city's most urgent priorities, as summarized by the Battle Creek Podcast.
Own statementBattle Creek Podcast · Sep 11, 2026
Housing development incentives2 sourced positions
Voted yes on approving the Brownfield Plan for the proposed "The Fields at Battle Creek" development (passed 7-2, September 2026).
Council voteCity of Battle Creek · Sep 1, 2026
Voted yes on adopting an ordinance authorizing a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for the Liberty Commons Apartments and Townhomes project (passed 9-0, September 2026).
Council voteCity of Battle Creek · Sep 15, 2026
State legislation1 sourced position
Voted yes on opposing House Bill 5123 and Senate Bill 719, which would limit local video franchise authority (passed 5-4, August 2026).
Council voteCity of Battle Creek · Aug 18, 2026
Water and sewer rates1 sourced position
Voted yes on authorizing water and sewer system rates for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 (passed 6-2, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Battle Creek · Jun 16, 2026
City budget2 sourced positions
as recorded in the June 2, 2026 minutes; not a direct quote
Said at the June 2 meeting that reducing the millage rate, and using down some of the general fund balance, were good decisions.
Own statementCity of Battle Creek · Jun 2, 2026
Voted yes on approving the 2026 millage rates and adopting the General Fund and Special Funds budgets for fiscal year 2026-2027 (passed 9-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Battle Creek · Jun 2, 2026
Cannabis retail permit1 sourced position
Voted no on approving a special use permit for an adult-use marihuana retail facility at 625 North Ave. (passed 8-1, September 2026).
Council voteCity of Battle Creek · Sep 15, 2026
Administrative Hearings Bureau1 sourced position
Voted yes on tabling proposed ordinance #16-2026, which would establish an Administrative Hearings Bureau (passed 8-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Battle Creek · Jul 21, 2026
What Mark A. Behnke said vs. how Mark A. Behnke voted
City budget
In their words
Said at the June 2 meeting that reducing the millage rate, and using down some of the general fund balance, were good decisions.
Jun 2, 2026 ·as recorded in the June 2, 2026 minutes; not a direct quote ·City of Battle Creek · Jun 2, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on approving the 2026 millage rates and adopting the General Fund and Special Funds budgets for fiscal year 2026-2027 (passed 9-0, June 2026).
Jun 2, 2026 ·City of Battle Creek · Jun 2, 2026
Also running for Mayor
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