In the 6th county commissioner district, Republican incumbent John Gisler is unopposed. In the 8th district, incumbent Republican Wendy Mazer and Democrat Matthew Miller square off in the November election. The 6th district includes Brady, Pavilion, Wakeshma, Comstock and Climax townships. The 8th district includes Schoolcraft, Prairie Ronde and Texas Townships. Compensation for county commissioners is $18,431.
John Gisler
I am completing my sixth term as a county commissioner and am eager to continue to represent the 6th District. I am a strong voice for common sense, fiscally responsible government. Three principles guide my decisions: (1) limited government, (2) individual liberty and (3) personal responsibility. I attend most township and village meetings in the district. This lets me know the issues that are important to citizens. I bring updates of recent county decisions to those meetings. The 2025 budget for Kalamazoo County will be around $350 million – it’s still being finalized. If additional funding is needed for new services, it should come from that existing budget. As a county, we must learn to prioritize our spending. We can no longer try to provide EVERYTHING to EVERYONE, ALL THE TIME. This means that some programs will need to be reduced and some eliminated. I’ve lived in Pavilion Township for 48 years. Gail and I have been married for 58 years. We have two adult children, four grandkids and three great-grandkids. I had a 40-year career in the pharmaceutical business. I hold degrees in biology (Wabash College) and finance (Syracuse University). I enjoy assisting district citizens. Reach me at jgisler5@comcast.net or 269-217-2119.
Wendy Mazer
I am completing my first term on the County Commission, serving Texas, Prairie Ronde and Schoolcraft townships. I previously served 10 years as a trustee on the Texas Township Board and over two years as trustee on the Portage Board of Education. I am a fiscal conservative and I believe in limited government because sometimes when it aims to help, it really hinders. I support our law enforcement officers, advocate for seniors and veterans on the Commission and vow to continue to defend the 2nd Amendment. I regularly attend local township and village council meetings. I like to be aware of things that matter to my constituents. I have a proven record of supporting my district, seeking out different solutions and doing my best to work with other county commissioners to get results. I grew up in Portage, graduating from Portage Central High School. I have lived in Texas Township for 36 years. Kevin and I have been married for 42 years and raised 6 successful children in Texas Township. I have been a professional musician and private oboe teacher for over 45 years. I hold a master’s degree in music performance from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in performance from WMU. Find out more at wendymazer.org, email me at wendymazer@gmail.com or call 269-372-7198.
Matthew Miller
I am a life-long Kalamazoo resident with an amazing wife of 8 years, Wendy Miller. We have 3 children, Marley, 22, Brooklyn, 17, and Easton, 6. I am a workers’ rights advocate dedicated to working class families. I travel to schools and trade shows promoting fair labor standards and the need for trades workers of all genders and races. As a union organizer, I educate workers and business owners of their rights to organize and collectively bargain for a more effective workforce and a better quality of life. I’ve been a member of Local 357 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and HVAC-R for 18 years. I’m now a pipe trades organizer for local 357, teaching worker rights under the National Labor Relations Act and helping working families to live more fruitful lives. Many do not know the benefits they are wrongfully denied without organizing together and collectively bargaining for better pay, benefits, and working conditions. I helped to grow the membership of our local union through hard work and determination in my first full year as an organizer more than any of the other 11 locals in Michigan. I have worked in schools, hospitals, paper mills, casinos and Pfizer in Kalamazoo County. I have made a decision, to use my work ethic and passion to serve the people of district 8 as their county commissioner.
