Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Marquette City Commission Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 3

7 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Commission At-large · Vote for up to 3

Margaret BrummMarquette attorney and native, known for a campaign to collect discarded cigarette butts.3sourced
Kevin CleggChair of the Marquette Planning Commission, which he has served on for four years.3sourced
Mark CurranOwner of Curran and Company, a Marquette company that owns and manages about 425 rental units.3sourced
Ross W. JohnsonGeneral manager of Double Trouble Entertainment and a former finish carpenter for the City of Marquette.2sourced
Marcella KrupskiMusician and sommelier at Everyday Wines, and a former aide to Congressman Bart Stupak.3sourced
Matthew LuttenbergerSales representative at Superior Hockey at Lakeview Arena who studied philosophy and English at NMU.1sourced
Paul SchloegelIncumbentCurrent mayor of Marquette and general manager of Northern Energy Solutions.3sourced

Seven candidates are on the ballot for three at-large seats. Every voter in the city can vote for up to three candidates. Mayor Paul Schloegel is the only incumbent running.

2 notes on these statements

Matthew Luttenberger did not attend the League of Women Voters candidate forum on September 23, 2026; the other six candidates did. Mining Journal · Sep 25, 2026

Paul Schloegel is the only incumbent among the seven candidates and is the current mayor. Man About Town (Brian Cabell) · Sep 30, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Sally DavisCommissioner, elected November 20252sourced Cary GottliebCommissioner, elected November 20243sourced Michael LarsonCommissioner, elected November 20252sourced Jermey OttawayCommissioner and Mayor Pro Tem2sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesTourism and a lodging tax, Housing costs, Downtown Vault/Trestle hotel project Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early voting begins at Peter White Public Library (daily through Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Sat, Oct 24, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Tourism and a lodging tax

Where it standsThe commission passed a resolution on August 31, 2026 supporting research into fiscal options for tourism impacts, while a Sustainable Tourism Management Plan is being written.

What's on the tableThe next commission will decide whether to pursue a lodging tax, which would need state enabling authority, and how to act on the tourism management plan.

On August 31, 2026 the commission passed the Sustainable Tourism resolution by roll call with seven yes votes and none opposed. City of Marquette · Aug 31, 2026
Commissioner Michael Larson said the resolution neither creates a lodging tax nor commits the city to adopting one. City of Marquette · Aug 10, 2026
The Sustainable Tourism Management Plan is expected to be completed in January 2027. City of Marquette · Aug 10, 2026
Kevin Clegg said only five large Michigan cities may impose a tourism tax on hotels and that state law would have to change for Marquette. Man About Town (Brian Cabell) · Sep 30, 2026

Housing costs

Where it standsCandidates agree housing affordability is a major issue and differ on whether to change zoning and fees further.

What's on the tableThe next commission will decide on zoning and fee changes, housing partnerships and city support for affordable housing.

The Marquette Housing Commission told the city commission that rising rents and construction costs, limited available property and reduced voucher funding are among its challenges. City of Marquette · Aug 31, 2026
The Planning Commission's September 14, 2026 annual report listed continued efforts to address housing needs among its future considerations. City of Marquette · Sep 14, 2026
Kevin Clegg said the current code already allows duplexes and triplexes. Mining Journal · Sep 25, 2026

Downtown Vault/Trestle hotel project

Where it standsThe commission approved amendments to the project's brownfield plan 5-1 in April 2026, replacing the underground parking plan with a hotel and parking deck built in two phases.

What's on the tableThe next commission will oversee the project's ongoing reimbursement agreement and parking arrangements with the Downtown Development Authority.

The amended plan builds an 80-room hotel with a two-story parking deck first, then redevelops the historic State Savings Bank building. Mining Journal · Apr 15, 2026
Residential units and the 200 public parking spots are no longer part of the project plan. Mining Journal · Apr 15, 2026
In August 2026 the commission approved a collateral assignment of the amended reimbursement agreement for Vault Marquette on its consent agenda. City of Marquette · Aug 10, 2026

Downtown homelessness

Where it standsCity staff are in discussions with nearby businesses, Snowberry and Room at the Inn about resources and solutions near the multi-use path.

What's on the tableThe next commission will decide how the city supports shelter and services and what role it plays in downtown conditions.

City Manager Karen Kovacs said staff are in ongoing discussions with Snowberry, nearby businesses and Room at the Inn to identify resources and collaborative solutions. City of Marquette · Aug 10, 2026

City budget and public works

Where it standsThe commission adopted a $26.8 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2027 by a 7-0 vote in September 2026.

What's on the tableThe next commission will set the following budgets and oversee public works and infrastructure spending.

The fiscal year 2027 general fund budget is $26.8 million within a total city budget of about $97 million. WZMQ 19 · Sep 29, 2026
The average resident's total utility bill is expected to increase about $99 a year. WZMQ 19 · Sep 29, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. Should Marquette pursue a local tax on hotels and short-term rentals?
2. What should the city do first to lower housing costs?
3. Should the city back large downtown hotel projects like Vault/Trestle with brownfield reimbursement?
4. How should the city respond to homelessness downtown?
5. What should be the commission's priority in overseeing city spending?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Election Day (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)City of MarquetteNov 3, 2026
Early voting begins at Peter White Public Library (daily through Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)City of MarquetteOct 24, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Sally Davis, Cary Gottlieb, Michael Larson, Jermey Ottaway3 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The Marquette City Commission has seven members elected in non-partisan, city-wide elections for three-year terms. Mining Journal · Sep 25, 2026
The commissioners elect the mayor and mayor pro tem from among their members. Mining Journal · Sep 25, 2026
The commission directly employs the city manager and the city attorney. Mining Journal · Sep 25, 2026

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