Marquette Commission Candidates Held Forum
Six candidates participated in the League of Women Voters forum ahead of the November election.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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The League of Women Voters of Marquette County hosted a candidate forum at Lakeview Arena, featuring six of the seven individuals running for office. Candidates addressed the public to share their platforms for the upcoming Marquette City Commission election.
Why it matters
The event allowed voters to hear directly from candidates vying for three available commission seats. This initiative aims to provide transparency and insight into the perspectives of those seeking to lead the city.
Seven candidates are competing for three open seats on the city commission. The election is scheduled for November 3.
The players
League of Women Voters of Marquette County
This is a nonpartisan civic organization that works to inform and engage voters in the political process.
Paul Schloegel
He is the current mayor of the City of Marquette who is seeking a seat on the commission.
Kevin Clegg
He is a candidate for the city commission who previously served on the planning commission for four years.
Mark Curran
He is a candidate for the city commission who owns a company managing approximately 425 housing units.
Matthew Luttenberger
He is one of the seven candidates running for a seat on the commission who did not attend the forum.
The details
Candidates delivered opening statements and answered questions from the audience, though the forum rules prohibited direct rebuttals between participants. The session highlighted diverse backgrounds, including current leadership and local business management experience.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: The League of Women Voters hosted the candidate forum.
November 3, 2026: The Marquette City Commission election takes place.
Political Context
The forum aligns with the spirit of public transparency established by the Michigan Open Meetings Act, which ensures government proceedings remain accessible. Critics often argue that candidate-organized events or debates without rebuttal periods provide less scrutiny than traditional open-forum debates.
The upcoming commission election will directly determine the leadership responsible for local housing and development policies. Voters should prepare to evaluate candidates based on their stated plans for addressing city bureaucracy and infrastructure management.
The takeaway
Voters can assess the candidates' specific experience and platforms to determine who is best suited for the city commission. Participating in these forums is a key way to contribute to an informed community decision on election day.
Further reading
Learn more about the electoral process in Civic Engagement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Mining Journal.
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Do you believe local government policy can effectively resolve housing affordability in your area?
