Ishpeming City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Claudia
Demarest
Claudia Demarest, the incumbent, is running for Ishpeming City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Andrea Jackson.
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The race · City Council
- 01Claudia DemarestYou’re reading
- 02Andrea Jackson
- 03Justin WhiteWithdrawn
Background
- About
- Ishpeming native first elected to the City Council in 2008, serving two terms. She was appointed to a vacant council seat in April 2026.
On the record: Claudia Demarest
9 sourced01City manager1 sourced position
Moved and voted yes on the city manager's contract amendment, which included a full-year severance (passed 3-2, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Ishpeming · Jun 17, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Malton Road land2 sourced positions
Voted yes to declare city land along Malton Road surplus and available for development (passed 4-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Ishpeming · Jul 15, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on a purchase agreement with Midtown Apartments Properties LLC to build six duplexes on Malton Road (passed unanimously, September 2026).
Council voteCity of Ishpeming · Sep 9, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03City budget2 sourced positions
Voted yes to accept a Deficit Elimination Plan for the general fund and send it to the state (passed 5-0, August 2026).
Council voteCity of Ishpeming · Aug 19, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Named the general fund her first priority and said the council must get a balanced budget.
We need to be more fiscally responsible, we need the get a balanced budget sometimes we have to make some very hard decisions.”
Own statementLeague of Women Voters of Marquette County: November 3, 2026 General Election Voter GuideLink
04Charter amendments1 sourced position
Proposed charter language requiring one year of city residency to run for city office; the council accepted it unanimously (May 2026).
Council voteCity of Ishpeming · May 13, 2026Link
05Infrastructure1 sourced position
Said the only way to keep improving infrastructure is with grants and low-interest loans.
We need to continue improving our infrastructure and the only way we can do that is by pursuing grants and low interest loans.”
Own statementLeague of Women Voters of Marquette County: November 3, 2026 General Election Voter GuideLink
06Housing1 sourced position
Said the city needs to encourage developers to build housing for all residents.
We need to encourage developers to come in to meet the needs of all residents.”
Own statementLeague of Women Voters of Marquette County: November 3, 2026 General Election Voter GuideLink
07Past candidacy1 sourced position
Ran for Ishpeming City Council in 2024 (lost).
Own statementMarquette County Clerk Elections Database: 2024 City Council 4-Year Term, Ishpeming City · Nov 5, 2024Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Claudia Demarest: their words and their votes on the same issue
City budget
In their words
Named the general fund her first priority and said the council must get a balanced budget.
League of Women Voters of Marquette County: November 3, 2026 General Election Voter Guide
On the record
Voted yes to accept a Deficit Elimination Plan for the general fund and send it to the state (passed 5-0, August 2026).
Aug 19, 2026 ·City of Ishpeming · Aug 19, 2026
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