Grand Traverse County
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The Michigan Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about races on your ballot, based on your values.
While in some years we cover hundreds of races, unfortunately we are not able to cover every race and we are not able to make recommendations for every race.
City of Traverse City
Depending on where you live, you may have the below city races on your ballot.
Amy Shamroe is running for re-election as mayor of Traverse City. Shamroe was first elected to this position in 2023. She previously served on the city commission for eight years, and six of those years were as mayor pro-tem. She has a bachelor's degree in international relations from Michigan State University.
Shamroe’s priorities include supporting green energy goals and affordable housing. She is also a strong advocate for LGBTQIA+ people and wants Traverse City to be a safe place for everyone.
Amy Shamroe is running for re-election as mayor of Traverse City. Shamroe was first elected to this position in 2023. She previously served on the city commission for eight years, and six of those years were as mayor pro-tem. She has a bachelor's degree in international relations from Michigan State University.
Shamroe’s priorities include supporting green energy goals and affordable housing. She is also a strong advocate for LGBTQIA+ people and wants Traverse City to be a safe place for everyone.
Amy Shamroe is running for re-election as mayor of Traverse City. Shamroe was first elected to this position in 2023. She previously served on the city commission for eight years, and six of those years were as mayor pro-tem. She has a bachelor's degree in international relations from Michigan State University.
Shamroe’s priorities include supporting green energy goals and affordable housing. She is also a strong advocate for LGBTQIA+ people and wants Traverse City to be a safe place for everyone.
Tim Werner is running for mayor of Traverse City. Werner is currently a city commissioner in Traverse City, as well as a member of the light and power board. He has previously served on the board of public works and the planning commission. Tim and his wife Petra have lived in Traverse City since 2000 and their two children were born and raised there.
Werner’s priorities include improving the city’s infrastructure, repairing the leaking sewer system, making city government more open and transparent, protecting natural resources, and responding to residents' concerns.
Tim Werner is running for mayor of Traverse City. Werner is currently a city commissioner in Traverse City, as well as a member of the light and power board. He has previously served on the board of public works and the planning commission. Tim and his wife Petra have lived in Traverse City since 2000 and their two children were born and raised there.
Werner’s priorities include improving the city’s infrastructure, repairing the leaking sewer system, making city government more open and transparent, protecting natural resources, and responding to residents' concerns.
Tim Werner is running for mayor of Traverse City. Werner is currently a city commissioner in Traverse City, as well as a member of the light and power board. He has previously served on the board of public works and the planning commission. Tim and his wife Petra have lived in Traverse City since 2000 and their two children were born and raised there.
Werner’s priorities include improving the city’s infrastructure, repairing the leaking sewer system, making city government more open and transparent, protecting natural resources, and responding to residents' concerns.
Traverse City voters will choose three of five candidates for city commissioner seats this election. There are three open seats for this position; voters are expected to select three candidates on their ballot.
Lance Boehmer is running for Traverse City Commissioner. Boehmer lives in Traverse Heights with his husband Patrick and their two rescue dogs. He currently leads a sales team for Motive, an automotive software company, and runs a consulting practice in Traverse City that helps local businesses grow through digital marketing. He also serves on the board of directors for BATA, where they are working to create more accessible and reliable transit.
Boehmer’s priorities include focusing on smart growth, addressing the housing shortage, investing in environmentally friendly infrastructure, protecting the environment, supporting local businesses, and making sure all neighborhoods have a voice.
Lance Boehmer is running for Traverse City Commissioner. Boehmer lives in Traverse Heights with his husband Patrick and their two rescue dogs. He currently leads a sales team for Motive, an automotive software company, and runs a consulting practice in Traverse City that helps local businesses grow through digital marketing. He also serves on the board of directors for BATA, where they are working to create more accessible and reliable transit.
Boehmer’s priorities include focusing on smart growth, addressing the housing shortage, investing in environmentally friendly infrastructure, protecting the environment, supporting local businesses, and making sure all neighborhoods have a voice.
Lance Boehmer is running for Traverse City Commissioner. Boehmer lives in Traverse Heights with his husband Patrick and their two rescue dogs. He currently leads a sales team for Motive, an automotive software company, and runs a consulting practice in Traverse City that helps local businesses grow through digital marketing. He also serves on the board of directors for BATA, where they are working to create more accessible and reliable transit.
Boehmer’s priorities include focusing on smart growth, addressing the housing shortage, investing in environmentally friendly infrastructure, protecting the environment, supporting local businesses, and making sure all neighborhoods have a voice.
Kenneth M. Funk is running for Traverse City commissioner. Funk has lived in Traverse City since 2014, where he is currently raising three daughters with his wife, who is a teacher. He currently works as a firefighter for the city.
Funk's priorities include focusing on using the residents' tax dollars to improve their lives, fixing the streets and replacing aging sewer systems, zoning changes to help prepare for future growth, and working with the county and surrounding townships to build mutually beneficial relationships.
Kenneth M. Funk is running for Traverse City commissioner. Funk has lived in Traverse City since 2014, where he is currently raising three daughters with his wife, who is a teacher. He currently works as a firefighter for the city.
Funk's priorities include focusing on using the residents' tax dollars to improve their lives, fixing the streets and replacing aging sewer systems, zoning changes to help prepare for future growth, and working with the county and surrounding townships to build mutually beneficial relationships.
Kenneth M. Funk is running for Traverse City commissioner. Funk has lived in Traverse City since 2014, where he is currently raising three daughters with his wife, who is a teacher. He currently works as a firefighter for the city.
Funk's priorities include focusing on using the residents' tax dollars to improve their lives, fixing the streets and replacing aging sewer systems, zoning changes to help prepare for future growth, and working with the county and surrounding townships to build mutually beneficial relationships.
Mary Mills is running for Traverse City commissioner. Mills is a long-time Traverse City resident, mother, and grandmother who has spent decades working to strengthen her community.
Mills’ priorities include protecting the character of neighborhoods through zoning, smart growth through thoughtful development, affordable housing, more childcare access, protecting our environment through clean energy and strong environmental protections, and respectful leadership.
Mary Mills is running for Traverse City commissioner. Mills is a long-time Traverse City resident, mother, and grandmother who has spent decades working to strengthen her community.
Mills’ priorities include protecting the character of neighborhoods through zoning, smart growth through thoughtful development, affordable housing, more childcare access, protecting our environment through clean energy and strong environmental protections, and respectful leadership.
Mary Mills is running for Traverse City commissioner. Mills is a long-time Traverse City resident, mother, and grandmother who has spent decades working to strengthen her community.
Mills’ priorities include protecting the character of neighborhoods through zoning, smart growth through thoughtful development, affordable housing, more childcare access, protecting our environment through clean energy and strong environmental protections, and respectful leadership.
Laura Ness is running for Traverse City commissioner. Ness is a resident of the historic Slabtown neighborhood and a 25-year community advocate. She earned her undergraduate degree in English from Ripon College and her master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Minnesota. Professionally, she served in multiple senior executive roles in the healthcare industry.
Currently she serves as Chair of the City of Traverse City and Garfield Township Recreational Authority, where she helped lead the acquisition of 75 acres of new parkland and oversaw a $5 million renovation project at Historic Barns Park. She is also chair of the Hickory Hills Advisory Committee and president and co-founder of Preserve Hickory, a nonprofit that helped launch a $5 million revitalization of Hickory Hills through a successful public-private campaign.
Ness’ priorities include regional cooperation to address the City’s shared challenges, including housing, affordability, childcare, transportation, and infrastructure needs. She also believes in preserving community character, environmental stewardship, inclusive and transparent government, and building a year-round diverse economy.
Laura Ness is running for Traverse City commissioner. Ness is a resident of the historic Slabtown neighborhood and a 25-year community advocate. She earned her undergraduate degree in English from Ripon College and her master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Minnesota. Professionally, she served in multiple senior executive roles in the healthcare industry.
Currently she serves as Chair of the City of Traverse City and Garfield Township Recreational Authority, where she helped lead the acquisition of 75 acres of new parkland and oversaw a $5 million renovation project at Historic Barns Park. She is also chair of the Hickory Hills Advisory Committee and president and co-founder of Preserve Hickory, a nonprofit that helped launch a $5 million revitalization of Hickory Hills through a successful public-private campaign.
Ness’ priorities include regional cooperation to address the City’s shared challenges, including housing, affordability, childcare, transportation, and infrastructure needs. She also believes in preserving community character, environmental stewardship, inclusive and transparent government, and building a year-round diverse economy.
Laura Ness is running for Traverse City commissioner. Ness is a resident of the historic Slabtown neighborhood and a 25-year community advocate. She earned her undergraduate degree in English from Ripon College and her master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Minnesota. Professionally, she served in multiple senior executive roles in the healthcare industry.
Currently she serves as Chair of the City of Traverse City and Garfield Township Recreational Authority, where she helped lead the acquisition of 75 acres of new parkland and oversaw a $5 million renovation project at Historic Barns Park. She is also chair of the Hickory Hills Advisory Committee and president and co-founder of Preserve Hickory, a nonprofit that helped launch a $5 million revitalization of Hickory Hills through a successful public-private campaign.
Ness’ priorities include regional cooperation to address the City’s shared challenges, including housing, affordability, childcare, transportation, and infrastructure needs. She also believes in preserving community character, environmental stewardship, inclusive and transparent government, and building a year-round diverse economy.
Peter Schous is running for Traverse City Commissioner. Schous was born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan and has lived in Traverse City for 12 years with his wife with whom he owns a local hospitality company. He graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Schous has served on the Village of Empire planning commission for 10 years, including previously as chair and currently as vice chair.
Schous’ priorities include addressing unique neighborhood needs, beautification and safety of the parks and green spaces, ensuring a community where families can thrive for generations, and protecting our natural resources and the beauty they provide.
Peter Schous is running for Traverse City Commissioner. Schous was born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan and has lived in Traverse City for 12 years with his wife with whom he owns a local hospitality company. He graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Schous has served on the Village of Empire planning commission for 10 years, including previously as chair and currently as vice chair.
Schous’ priorities include addressing unique neighborhood needs, beautification and safety of the parks and green spaces, ensuring a community where families can thrive for generations, and protecting our natural resources and the beauty they provide.
Peter Schous is running for Traverse City Commissioner. Schous was born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan and has lived in Traverse City for 12 years with his wife with whom he owns a local hospitality company. He graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Schous has served on the Village of Empire planning commission for 10 years, including previously as chair and currently as vice chair.
Schous’ priorities include addressing unique neighborhood needs, beautification and safety of the parks and green spaces, ensuring a community where families can thrive for generations, and protecting our natural resources and the beauty they provide.