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 John Gisler.

Looking to pay back the Kalamazoo community for the environment it provided his family since 1971, John Gisler is running for Kalamazoo County Commission to represent District 8. “Government should not pick winners and losers—just contribute to an environment where businesses can start, grow, and prosper.” As County Commissioner, John’s top priority is to focus on spending by utilizing the current County budget and ensuring taxes support “essential” services. John also shared with us that his favorite food is ice cream, and his favorite artist is Chuck Berry. Meet John Gisler.

NAME
John Gisler

POSITION SEEKING
Kalamazoo County Commissioner

DISTRICT POSITION REPRESENTS
District 8

AFFILIATION
Republican

EMAIL
jgisler5@comcast.net

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE?
I want to pay back to the Kalamazoo community for the environment it provided for my family to flourish. We moved here in 1971. Our kids received first-class educations and grew to become solid citizens with families of their own. I want to pass that environment forward.

PLEASE LIST YOUR TOP PRIORITIES WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ELECTED OFFICE.
The government should prioritize spending. It can no longer provide everything to everyone all the time. This may mean lower-priority services are scaled back and some even eliminated.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE OFFICE?
The current Kalamazoo County budget is $110 million. Any new spending should come out of this existing budget. Taxes should support only “essential” services. We must prioritize spending!

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY IF ELECTED?
The government should not pick winners and losers—just contribute to an environment where businesses can start, grow, and prosper.

FAVORITE CAMPAIGN SONGS
Anything by Chuck Berry.

FAVORITE BOOK
“Basic Economics” by Thomas Sowell.

FAVORITE MOVIE
“You’ve Got Mail.”

FAVORITE FOOD
Ice Cream.

The Primary will be held on August 4. The General Election will be held on November 3. John Gisler is seeking this seat as a Republican.