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Grand Traverse County Democrats Candidate page 

Grand Traverse County BOC:

Click on your District Button below to see your Democratic Commission Candidate

For more info or help finding your district.  Click below for the state info site.

For a list of endorsed candidates on your ballot

For a list of GTDem Endorsements

What does the BOC do and why do I care?

  • The Board of Commissioners (BOC) sets the county budget it spends your tax dollars.

  • Care about roads? The BOC appoints the road commission.

  • Care about public transit?  The BOC appoints members to the BATA board.

  • Care for citizens in need? The BOC appoints members to the Pavillions and Dept of Health and Human Services boards.

YOUR BOC Vote is critical

Last election two districts were won by less than 135 votes each!

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Linda Maginity
GT County Commission, District 1  Green Lake, Blair 1&4

I grew up near Detroit and got married in 1979. In 1980, my husband and I moved to Thompsonville, then to Frankfort where our son was born in 1982. By 1984, we bought a house in Traverse City, where I live now. We divorced in 1987, and I became a single mom. To support myself and pursue my dreams, I attended college full-time at NMC with the help of a Pell Grant. I studied Business Administration – accounting emphasis. While studying, I worked part-time and later full-time at Meijer.

 

Throughout my life, I've always stood up for what's right. I opposed the locations of the adult bookstore, strip club, and a tire & tow yard all in Blair Township. After the 2016 presidential election, I became concerned about the fairness of our voting system. I became an election worker and joined "Voters Not Politician's" to educate others about gerrymandering and promote fair voting districts.

 

With over 30 years of experience helping businesses grow, I'm now eager to serve on the Board of Commissioners in Grand Traverse County and to continue making a positive impact in my community.

 

See Linda Maginity's Video on YouTube

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ElectLindaMaginity

Blog:  https://electlindamaginity.blogspot.com/

Donate:  https://secure.actblue.com/donate/campaign-to-elect-linda-maginity-1

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Lauren Flynn
GT County Commission, District 2 Garfield 4,6,7 & TC 7

I am excited to run once again for Grand Traverse County Commission to serve the voters of District 2 and beyond.  

 

In my first year of serving, I have listened, learned, and worked on finding solutions to issues facing our county.  I have worked on building relationships to help create strong leadership, transparent governance, and positive forward vision.  I look forward to continuing to apply myself to collaborating with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to evaluate and resolve issues Grand Traverse County and our constituents are addressing each day.  Thank you for your continued support.

 

See Lauren Flynn's Video on YouTube

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenFlynnforGTCounty

Website: www.electlaurenflynn.com

ActBlue:  https://secure.actblue.com/donate/committee-to-elect-lauren-flynn-24

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Ashlea Walter
GT County Commission, District 3 Garfield 2 & TC 1,7,10

I'm excited to announce that I am running for re-election to the Grand Traverse County Commission - District 3.

 

I am running again for Grand Traverse County Commission to better represent our community’s Democratic values at the County level and help provide the thoughtful and collaborative leadership we need to tackle our urgent community challenges like affordable housing, childcare, mental health, and climate. I’m stepping up again to continue bringing people together to work on real issues that improve the quality of life for all people in Grand Traverse County.

 

Thank you for your continued trust and support. I couldn't do this important community work without your strident support. 

See Ashlea Walter's Video on YouTube

Learn more about Ashlea: www.ashforgt.com

Donate to Ashlea here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ash2024

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshForGT

instagram: @ashforgt

Friends of Ashlea Walter

605 Fifth Street

Traverse City, MI 49684

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Fern Spence
GT County Commission, District 4 Garfield 1,3,5 Blair 3

Fern Spence: A Dedicated Community Advocate
Fern Spence has been an active and dedicated member of the community for over 20 years, championing various causes and initiatives to foster positive change. As a parent of two grown children and wife of a local physician, she understands the importance of creating a safe and prosperous environment for families to thrive. Her involvement in many community projects and organizations reflects her commitment to enhance the quality of life for all residents. Fern's passion for community engagement and her experience as a parent and wife has equipped her with a deep understanding of the needs and concerns of local families. Her genuine interest in making a difference and improving the community has earned her the trust and support of many.

See Fern Spence's Video on YouTube

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/electfernspence

Donate to Fern Spence HERE

Website: https://www.electfernspence.com/

Committee to Elect Fern Spence, available soon

Website available soon

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Trenton Lee
GT County Commission, District 5 Acme 1 EB 1,4,6

Trenton, born and raised in Traverse City, brings a unique blend of local roots and diverse experiences to his community. He was raised in a working-class family which instilled in him strong values of love, compassion, and dedication. This enabled him to pursue his passion for social justice and education at the University of Michigan, earning a BA in Sociology and Women’s Studies, and later at the University of Westminster in London, England, where he earned a master's degree in critical media theory and worked as a lecturer at the College of Design, Creative, and Digital Industries.

 

 

Returning home, Trenton witnessed the impact of the pandemic and political division on mental health, especially for young people, during his time as a teacher at Interlochen Arts Academy. This firsthand experience, and a pandemic-induced career reroute, led Trenton to his current role at North Country Community Mental Health, where he works towards improved and inclusive mental health services. Now, as a candidate for GT County Commissioner, Trenton is committed to uniting the community and finding innovative solutions to local challenges. With his background in education, activism, and dedication to his hometown, he aims to lead with transparency, empathy, and collaboration.

See Trenton Lee's Video on YouTube

Learn more about Trenton Lee HERE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/votetrentonlee

Instagram: www.instagram.com/votetrentonlee

Donate to Trenton Lee HERE

Trenton Lee for Grand Traverse County Commissioner

821 Indian Trail Blvd, Traverse City, MI 49686

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JanWyant
GT County Commission, District 6
Acme 2, Whitewater, Union, Fife Lake,  EB 2,3

Jan's childhood was shaped by the joys and challenges of growing up in a large family on a farm. She learned to value hard work, teamwork, and responsibility as she helped with the chores, the catering business, and any other family responsibility. Jan pursued various jobs outside the farm, such as retail, fast food, and nursing, until she decided to focus on her own family and education. She became a stay-at-home mom and a homeschool teacher for her three children, while also supporting her husband's technology venture. Jan still works at the company they founded together in Traverse City, but now that her children are grown and the business is well-established, she is eager to contribute more to her community.

See Jan Wyant's Video on YouTube

Facebook: www.facebook.com/voteforjanwyant

Instagram: janwyantforcountycommission

Donate to Jan Wyant's campaign: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/janwyant

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TJ Andrews
GT County Commission, District 7 Peninsula & TC 8,9

I'm is running for re-election to the represent District 7 on the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners. District 7 includes the Old Mission Peninsula and the northeastern part of Traverse City, including the neighborhoods around the academic campuses (Eastern Elementary, Central High School (go, Trojans!), and NMC), surrounding the Civic Center, Bryant Park, Jupiter Park, and F&M Park. 

 

After serving most of a term already, I understand the depth of opportunity to improve how the county provides services to our community. We have an obligation to address the critical needs in our community, which include housing and related homelessness, childcare to support working families, protecting water quality, reducing our fossil footprints individually and collectively, and ensuring resilience in a changing climate. I have demonstrated reasonableness, pragmatism, and bipartisan effectiveness, and I will continue to bring curiosity to the commission. Thank you for your support and sharing our vision for a more responsive and effective county commission.

 

See TJ Andrews' Video on YouTube

Learn more about TJ Andrews https://www.electtjandrews.com/

Donate to TJ Andrews https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tjandrews

Committee to Elect T. J. Andrews
P.O. Box 6322 Traverse City MI 49696

Social Media Links available soon

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Pamela Harris Kaiser
GT County Commission, District 9 Long Lake

I’m running to promote safety, sustainability and transparency in the community that has been home to four generations of my family.

My highest priority is to prevent gun deaths by ending the insurrectionist “2nd Amendment Sanctuary” enacted by members of our BOC in March 2020, the year guns became the leading cause of child death in the United States. Since then, the rate of gun deaths has been rapidly rising. 

A month later, our 24-year-old son Aaron, a nursing student suffering from anxiety and depression, died after being sold a shotgun by a noncompliant gun shop before final exams during the pandemic Stay at Home Order. Due to the “2A Sanctuary,” the Grand Traverse Prosecutor issued no ticket to the seller. To save lives and prevent gun deaths in Grand Traverse County, Michigan gun safety laws must be enforced here. 

 

Proof of my work for protection and improvement in our community includes service on the Long Lake Shoreline Committee, Activity Center Planning Committee, co-chair of the TCAPS District Advisory Committee, and advocacy for improvement in local mental health care. 

Thank you for your support of my candidacy to ensure responsible policies, transparency, accountability and law enforcement in Grand Traverse County. 

Pam Kaiser is a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate

 

Website: https://votepamkaiser4gtcommissionlonglakedistrict9.com/

Video: https://vimeo.com/704933356

You Tube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7RFLLsTFSY

Audio (interview on Traverse Talks): 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/PamKaiser4GTCountyCommissionLongLake

Donate to Pam's Campaign:

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/campaign-to-elect-pam-kaiser-1

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