The Copper Country League of Women Voters brought together the community to meet candidates for Houghton city council during a forum at the Orpheum Theater.
The forum featured Mayor Robert Megowen and councilor Rhiannon Schmidt, who each seek reelection. The pair were joined at the front table by candidate Matt Siegal.
League of Women Voters Forum Moderator Valorie Troesch emphasized the importance of candidate forums in a non-partisan election environment.
“A lot of the candidates don’t run by a political party, so people don’t have that as a way to judge how to vote for somebody. So a forum like this is really important,” Trosch said.
Questions posed to candidates ranged from leadership style and experience to strategies for improving city safety regarding e-bikes, rotating residents through local colleges, and plans for working with the police department.
Siegal emphasized that public leadership requires compromise when working in the public’s best interest.
“I think balancing all that takes honest trade-offs made in public and in good faith and long-range capital planning and aggressive pursuit of grants and willingness to ask voters directly for investments that matter,” Siegal said.
Both Schmidt and Megowen stressed the importance of accessibility to residents. Megowen noted that after many years serving the city, he has found that people share more candid thoughts about city functions when he is outside the formal business setting.
“When I’m in my gardens and my bibs, people will talk to me. If they see me with a jacket or a tie, they won’t talk to me. The most important thing is people know that we’re here to listen to them,” Megowen said.
Schmidt added that an engaged community strengthens discussions during council meetings.
“I think it’s really important that people come to meetings as well. There’s two opportunities to speak and we’re always happy. We love people to get up and speak. I like to hear what people have to say,” Schmidt said.
Early voting at the Houghton County Early Voting Center on Sharon Avenue opens October 24. Absentee voters must mail ballots to their clerk’s office so they arrive by November 3. Voters planning to vote in person on election day must bring identification. Those without ID can sign a voter’s affidavit to confirm their identity. Learn more about the November 3, 2026 election online.
Find the League of Women Voters Michigan Voters’ Guide for 2026 here. Within the voter’s guide you’ll find candidate positions on a variety of topics in the state and federal elections. The document also covers proposals on the November 3rd ballot.
Find an online recording of the forum here.
