Hillsdale Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Matthew H.
Bentley
Matthew H. Bentley is running for mayor of Hillsdale in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Bob Flynn.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Matthew H. BentleyYou’re reading
- 02Bob Flynn
Background
- About
- Hillsdale City Council member for Ward 2 since 2024, an Army veteran who worked in the securities industry.
On the record: Matthew H. Bentley
15 sourced01Roads1 sourced position
Said roads are Hillsdale's biggest issue and that the city should fix them faster and spend more on them.
We should fix the roads faster, and we should put more money into the roads,”
Own statementHillsdale Collegian · Sep 17, 2026Link
02Special assessments4 sourced positions
as reported by the Hillsdale Collegian; not a direct quote
Agreed at the Sept. 3 mayoral debate that special assessment districts can no longer be relied on to fund road repairs.
Forum answerHillsdale Collegian · Sep 10, 2026Link
Moved and voted yes on suspending the requirement to levy special assessment districts for 2026 road projects until the November election (failed 2-6, March 2026).
Council voteHillsdale City Council minutes, March 2, 2026 · Mar 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Moved and voted yes on recommending a $2,800 maximum residential cap on 2026 special assessments for Oak and South streets (failed 1-7, December 2025).
Council voteHillsdale City Council Committee of the Whole minutes, December 8, 2025 · Dec 8, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on levying the sinking fund up to .5 mill to repave Oak Street (failed 3-5, March 2026).
Council voteHillsdale City Council minutes, March 16, 2026 · Mar 16, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Broad Street road diet2 sourced positions
as reported by the Hillsdale Collegian; not a direct quote
Ran for mayor in 2025 in an effort to stop MDOT's proposed road diet narrowing Broad Street downtown from four lanes to two.
Own statementHillsdale Collegian · Sep 17, 2026Link
Voted no on Resolution 3646 accepting the local contribution for the MDOT TAP grant project (passed 5-3, August 2025).
Council voteHillsdale City Council minutes, August 18, 2025 · Aug 18, 2025LinkHow the council voted
04Energy Waste Reduction plan1 sourced position
Voted no on approving the BPU's Energy Waste Reduction plan and submitting it to the State of Michigan (passed 5-4, December 2025).
Council voteHillsdale City Council minutes, December 15, 2025 · Dec 15, 2025LinkHow the council voted
05Keefer House Hotel2 sourced positions
Voted no on extending the Keefer House Hotel's OPRA tax abatement completion date to June 30, 2026, Resolution #3660 (passed 6-3, December 2025).
Council voteHillsdale City Council minutes, December 15, 2025 · Dec 15, 2025LinkHow the council voted
Moved and voted yes on declining a further extension of the Keefer House Hotel's OPRA abatement (failed 3-5, June 2026).
Council voteHillsdale City Council minutes, June 15, 2026 · Jun 15, 2026Link
06Electric rates1 sourced position
Voted no on Resolution 3680 amending BPU electric rates (passed 7-2, June 2026).
Council voteHillsdale City Council minutes, June 1, 2026 · Jun 1, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07City budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on adopting the city budget, Resolution #3678 (passed 7-2, June 2026).
Council voteHillsdale City Council minutes, June 1, 2026 · Jun 1, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08City manager1 sourced position
Voted no on amending City Manager David Mackie's contract so he would later serve solely as BPU Director (passed 7-1, January 2026).
Council voteHillsdale City Council minutes, January 5, 2026 · Jan 5, 2026LinkHow the council voted
09Past candidacy2 sourced positions
Ran for Mayor of Hillsdale in the November 2025 election for a partial term (lost).
Own statementHillsdale County · Nov 11, 2025Link
Ran for Hillsdale City Council, Ward II, in 2024 (won, unopposed).
Own statementHillsdale County · Nov 13, 2024Link
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