Money Talks: Who's Backing Whom in Portage's Big Vote?

In Portage, the upcoming city council and mayoral elections are heating up, and money is playing a big role. Seven candidates are competing for three council seats, and the mayor's race is between Patricia Randall and Nasim Ansari. The main issue? A new trash hauling rule. The city recently decided to use only one trash company, Waste Management, for five years. This deal is worth $29. 4 million. But not everyone is happy. Best Way Disposal, a local company, thinks this rule is unfair. They want residents to have a choice. Best Way's owners, the Balkema family, are supporting some candidates who agree with them. They've given over $16, 400 to candidates like Jay Woodhams, Jason Mikkelborg, Kathleen Olmstead, and Ansari. On the other side, some candidates have support from Democratic leaders and business owners. Mayor Randall and councilmember Jihan Young have received donations from state representatives and local business leaders. This shows that even though these elections aren't about political parties, money and alliances still matter. Looking at the numbers, it's clear who supports whom. Woodhams raised over $6, 700, mostly from Best Way employees. Olmstead raised over $6, 600, with big donations from the Balkema family. Ansari raised over $16, 000, including contributions from Best Way's manager and the Balkema family. Incumbent mayor Randall raised over $19, 700, with support from fellow councilmembers, state representatives, and business leaders. In Kalamazoo, the story is different. Candidates there raised less money than in Portage. Some candidates haven't even filed their financial reports yet. The ones who did raise money got smaller donations, mostly from local residents and businesses. This election shows how money influences local politics. It's not just about parties; it's about who supports whom and why. Voters need to pay attention to where candidates' money comes from. It can tell a lot about who they might represent if elected.