Copyright M Live Michigan
PORTAGE, MI — Portage voters reelected Patricia Randall to serve another two-year term as mayor. According to unofficial totals with all 13 precincts reporting, Randall earned 8,067 votes. Challenger Nasim Ansari earned 4,992. Randall has served 16 years on the city council — eight as a councilmember and eight as mayor. “Many people are engaged in Portage and like the direction that the city is going,” Randall said. “I welcome any new board member or council member ... together we will continue to address the needs of the citizens of Portage.” Seven Portage residents were in the running for three other seats on the City Council, including three incumbent candidates. Incumbents Jihan Young and Vic Ledbetter will return to their seats with 6,274 and 6,766 votes, respectively. Kathleen Olmstead ousted incumbent Terry Urban for the final spot with 5,324 votes. Urban has served on the council since 1997. Here are the vote totals for each candidate: Vic Ledbetter (incumbent): 6,766 Jihan Young (incumbent): 6,274 Kathleen Olmstead: 5,324 Mark McKeon: 4,987 Terry Urban (incumbent): 4,411 Jay Woodhams: 3,961 Jason Mikkelborg: 3,257 MORE: Live election results for Kalamazoo-area races, proposals, Nov. 4, 2025 Ledbetter is a retired Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety captain. He retired from the force after 25 years. He has been on the council since 2020. Young was the first Black woman elected to the council in 2023. She sits on the city’s small business committee, farmers market committee and the community center board. She is involved in several community organizations, including a girls mentorship program at Portage West Middle School and the West Portage Little League. Olmstead is new to Portage government. She united with fellow newcomers over the city’s single hauler trash ordinance. She received several significant contributions from the owners of Best Way Disposal and their family members over the course of the campaign. Ansari and Woodhams also received similar contributions, but did not win their races. MORE: Follow the money: How trash and politics are influencing the Portage city election “It’s an honor to be reelected to the Portage City Council and continue serving this incredible community,” Young said. “Portage is a special place -- one we can all be proud of for what we’ve accomplished and excited for what’s yet to come.” The newly-elected mayor and councilmembers will be sworn in during an upcoming regular City Council meeting. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLive’s local Kalamazoo news page.
