To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum to help you get to know them better. Today, meet Chris Pomeroy.

Spending a majority of his adult life working as an advocate for working families, Chris Pomeroy is seeking election as Kalamazoo County Commissioner to represent District 5. “While working as a labor organizer, I have grown increasingly frustrated by local elected officials, as they are often inconsistent with their attention to the issues faced by working people. In recent years, I have also become frustrated by the often-questionable actions and behavior of some members on the County board. I have always held an appreciation for public service.” As a County Commissioner, Chris’ top priorities would include supporting local businesses and local workers by enforcing the existing responsible bidder policy, supporting greater transparency and constituent engagement in the work of the body, developing communication with residents and business owners in the 5th district and engaging them in the process of County governance, and supporting current and future infrastructure investments. Chris also shared with us that his favorite movie is “The Shawshank Redemption” and his favorite book is “Rules for Radicals” by Saul Alinsky. Meet Christ Pomeroy.

NAME
Chris Pomeroy

POSITION SEEKING
Kalamazoo County Commissioner

DISTRICT POSITION REPRESENTS
District 5

AFFILIATION
Democrat

EMAIL
pcpomeroy@gmail.com

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE?
I have spent the majority of my adult life working as an advocate for working families. While working as a labor organizer, I have grown increasingly frustrated by local elected officials, as they are often inconsistent with their attention to the issues faced by working people. In recent years, I have also become frustrated by the often-questionable actions and behavior of some members on the County board. I have always held an appreciation for public service.

PLEASE LIST YOUR TOP PRIORITIES WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ELECTED OFFICE.

• Support local businesses and local workers by enforcing our existing responsible bidder policy.
• Support greater transparency and constituent engagement in the work of the body.
• Develop communication with residents and business owners in the 5th district and engage them in the process of County governance.
• Support current and future infrastructure investments.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE OFFICE?

While working as an organizer, I have developed tools that have allowed me to engage different communities with often competing interests while bringing those groups to consensus. I have also developed a strong familiarity with interest-based bargaining. These tools will help me to advance shared priorities and build community engagement while working with colleagues on the County board.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY IF ELECTED?

By supporting continued development and infrastructure projects and advocating for local businesses and workers on all fronts, we can continue the economic growth of this community. Kalamazoo has a very diverse, experienced, and educated workforce. We should be open to any and all opportunities to create investment and secure employment for our residents.

FAVORITE CAMPAIGN SONGS
“Simple Man” acoustic version by Shinedown

FAVORITE BOOK
“Rules for Radicals” by Saul Alinsky

FAVORITE MOVIE
“The Shawshank Redemption”

FAVORITE FOOD
Local variety. This is a cop-out, but I have a complicated relationship with good food.

The Primary will be held on August 4. The General Election will be held on November 3. Chris Pomeroy is seeking this seat as a Democrat.