Three Rivers municipal election preview
The Third District Commissioner seat will appear on the ballot, but no candidates are running. The seat is currently held by Chris Abel, who is not seeking reelection.
It’s never too early to make your plans, know your candidates, and be ready for November’s election.
This November, residents of Three Rivers will head to the polls to decide races for mayor and city commissioner in the First District, At-Large, and Third District.
For mayor, incumbent Thomas J. Lowry is seeking his twelfth term. Lowry previously held office from 1995 to 2007 and has served continuously since 2011. He will face newcomer Angel Johnston, identified on her campaign Facebook page as a Western Michigan University graduate, homeowner, and long-time Three Rivers resident, who is running on a platform focused on clean water advocacy and stronger communication from City Hall.
In the First District, Pat Dane is running unopposed. Dane, a lifelong Three Rivers resident, was appointed in October 2016 to fill a vacancy after Commissioner Jared Hoffmaster resigned, and she has served on the commission ever since.
For the At-Large Commissioner seat, Torrey Brown is also unopposed. Brown first won his seat as a write-in candidate in 2021 and is seeking another term this November.
The Third District Commissioner seat will appear on the ballot, but no candidates are running. The seat is currently held by Chris Abel, who is not seeking reelection.
The election will be held on Tuesday, November 4, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Riverside Church in Three Rivers. Early in-person voting is not automatically offered for municipal elections and is left to the discretion of the city clerk. As of August 25, no announcements have been made indicating early voting will be available.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice
Author
Related Articles
Over 350 gather for No Kings rally in Three Rivers
More than 350 people gathered at the corner of U.S. 131 and Michigan Avenue on Saturday, March 28, from 3 to 4 p.m. Supportive drivers honked as they passed, while others shouted at demonstrators from their vehicles. At least two trucks repeatedly drove past the crowd in the lane closest to the sidewalk, revving their engines and emitting diesel exhaust toward protesters.
Three Rivers Pride to host public board meeting this Wednesday
Three Rivers Pride is hosting an informational event this Wednesday, April 1 at 6 p.m. at GG’s Cookies to provide information and clarity as to why there won’t be a Pride event sponsored by the nonprofit this year.
Michigan lawmaker explores changes to public notice rules, raising transparency concerns
Municipalities pay newspapers to publish these notices, with costs varying based on the number and length of postings.
According to recent Three Rivers City Commission agenda packets, the city paid $740 to the Three Rivers Commercial-News for fiscal year 2026 public notices. A separate payment of $290 for the same category was recorded February 13.
If lawmakers pursue changes, they could alter where and how notices are published, potentially shifting some requirements away from newspapers. However, state Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) has said she is not seeking to eliminate public notice requirements altogether.
