Copyright M Live Michigan
MUSKEGON, MI - Voters will decide between four candidates for two at-large Muskegon City Commission seats up for election on the Nov. 4 ballot. Incumbent commissioner and current vice mayor Rebecca St. Clair is running along with Kiley Jackson, John C. Allen and Teresa Emory. The candidates all made it through the August primary election, where there were originally five candidates. The Muskegon City Commission is made up of four ward commissioners, representing different sections of the city, and two at-large commissioners, representing the city as a whole. They serve four-year terms. Two candidate debates were held in October, the first on Oct. 12 and the second on Oct. 23. St. Clair and Jackson participated in both, and Allen participated in one. Emory was not at either event. St. Clair, 50, a Lakeside resident, works full-time as a clinical manager for youth services at HealthWest. She has served as vice mayor of the city commission for the last two years. She said she is seeking another term to be even more “effective.” Like any new job, she said there is a “learning curve.” In a second term, St. Clair said she would continue working with developers to increase housing. She said the city is about halfway toward reaching its goal of 3,000 units by 2028 and has prioritized bringing in all types of housing and various price points. “We are building some waterfront luxury condos because some people who can afford those want to live here,” St. Clair said. “We’re also building hundreds of low-income housing and subsidized housing.” “I see, every day, families that don’t have adequate housing and that is part of the trauma the kids are living with because they have been unhoused and that’s a really traumatic experience for a child,” St. Clair said. Jackson, 23, is a recovery court specialist for the Muskegon County 14th Circuit Court. She lives in the Nims neighborhood, where she grew up. She recently earned her bachelor’s degree in political science, with a minor in human rights, from Grand Valley State University. She attended Muskegon Community College for the first two years of college. As a commissioner, she would focus on voter engagement and civic engagement. “It’s important for me as a hopeful elected official that everyone can understand the governmental process,” Jackson said. “I want to take in as much information as I can as an elected official and take it back to my community ... It’s not my seat; it’s the city’s seat.” Allen, 64, was born in Muskegon and lived in Illinois and Grand Rapids before moving back, now living in the Nelson neighborhood. He first attended MCC and then earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Calvin College, now Calvin University. He then started his career as a water operator at the city of Muskegon water plant. He later worked for the city of Grand Rapids and did two stints at the city of Muskegon Heights, most recently as utilities director. Improved communication, being more “business-friendly,” having a diversity of business types and affordable housing are goals Allen has if he were to be on the city commission. As a commissioner, Allen said he brings the experience and understanding of the staff’s experience and how the city operates. “I understand the needs of the various departments,” Allen said. “I’m also on this side, being a citizen. I understand more of the needs of both sides, versus just the one side.” Emory, 69, is retired. She previously owned Liberty Tax Service of Muskegon for 14 years and served as a Ward 4 Muskegon City Commissioner from 2020 to 2024.
