Houghton City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Rhiannon
Schmidt
Rhiannon Schmidt, the incumbent, is running for Houghton City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 5 candidates are running for 4 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Chad Arney
- 02Robert X. MegowenIncumbent
- 03Mike NeedhamIncumbent
- 04Rhiannon SchmidtYou’re reading
- 05Matt Seigel
Background
- About
- Public health nurse with the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department. The council appointed her to a vacant seat in April 2026.
Chad Arney also applied for that vacancy and was nominated by Mike Needham; the council appointed Rhiannon Schmidt. The Mining Gazette · Apr 9, 2026
Five candidates are on the ballot for four at-large seats: Chad Arney, Robert X. Megowen, Mike Needham, Rhiannon Schmidt and Matt Seigel. Ballotpedia
On the record: Rhiannon Schmidt
9 sourced01Data centers1 sourced position
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-348, a data center moratorium (passed 6-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Houghton · Jul 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Public comment1 sourced position
Voted no on Resolution 2026-2013 to cut public comment time from five minutes to three (failed 1-6, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Houghton · May 27, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Downtown property2 sourced positions
Voted yes to buy 509 Shelden Avenue for $50,000 from the General Fund for a pocket park (passed 7-0, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Houghton · May 27, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes to buy 326 Shelden Avenue for $400,000, to be reimbursed by a Michigan Talent Partnership grant, for a business incubator (passed 7-0, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Houghton · May 27, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Rezoning1 sourced position
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-345, the East Lakeshore Drive conditional rezoning (passed 7-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Houghton · Jun 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05City budget1 sourced position
Voted yes to approve the 2026-2027 city budget (passed 7-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Houghton · Jun 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Facade grants1 sourced position
Voted no on approving the DDA/TIFA mini-facade grant applications (failed 3-3, September 2026).
Council voteCity of Houghton · Sep 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Community garden1 sourced position
as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Started a council discussion in July 2026 on expanding the Pewabic Street Community Garden (as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote).
Own statementCity of Houghton · Jul 22, 2026Link
08Recycling1 sourced position
as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Raised the possibility of glass recycling after a downtown business owner approached her (as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote).
Own statementCity of Houghton · Jul 22, 2026Link
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