Seven candidates filed to run for four open seats on the Traverse City commission this fall – including one mayoral seat and three commission seats – by the 4pm filing deadline Tuesday.

As covered in Tuesday’s Ticker, Mayor Amy Shamroe is seeking another term in office. She will face one challenger in current Commissioner Tim Werner, whose term is up this fall and is switching lanes to run for mayor. Because candidates can’t run for both mayor and city commissioner, either Werner or Shamroe will be off the board if they lose their race. Though political newcomer Jared Moelaart told The Ticker he planned to run for mayor, he did not submit his paperwork by Tuesday’s deadline and will not appear on the ballot.

Commissioner Mi Stanley and Mayor Pro Tem Mark Wilson did not file to seek reelection, so both of their commission seats will be up for grabs this fall along with Werner’s. Stanley says she was “humbled by the number of people” who asked her to run again and that she “truly wrestled with the decision...in no small part because of that outpouring of support from neighbors who appreciate my voice on the commission.” However, Stanley ultimately decided to move on. “I’m proud to have served my hometown as a city commissioner for the last four years, and I’m looking forward to continuing to serve our community in other ways moving forward,” she says.

Wilson says “it’s been a true honor to serve on the Traverse City commission and to contribute to shaping the future of a place that means so much to all of us.” After serving two full-time terms on the tribal council for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and completing a four-year term on the city commission, Wilson says he’s served in elected leadership for a “significant portion of my adult life, and it’s given me invaluable perspective and experience. At this point, I feel it’s important to make space for more voices to contribute – especially as our city continues to evolve and faces new opportunities and challenges. I believe strongly in the value of shared leadership, and I’m encouraged by the talent and energy I see in our community.” Wilson says he’s looking forward to focusing on his business and family and “continuing to support the city in other ways outside of elected office.”

Profiles of Shamroe and Werner in the mayoral race are available here. The Ticker spoke with the remaining candidates to provide a brief overview of their backgrounds, reasons for running, and key priorities/area of focus. (NOTE: The withdrawal deadline for candidates is Friday at 4pm. After that time, all candidates whose filings are determined sufficient and eligible by the city clerk’s office will be officially certified for placement on the November 4 ballot. Candidates who are elected this fall will be sworn in at the November 10 city commission meeting.)

City Commission Race (3 Seats Available, 5 Candidates Running)
Lance Boehmer
Bio: Boehmer, 36, is director of enterprise sales at software startup Motive. He holds a BA in Law Enforcement and Communication from Lake Superior State University. He serves as secretary on the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) board of directors and previously served on the Southeast Neighborhood Development Corp (SEND) board. He's an active volunteer with TART Trails, Up North Pride (Rainbow Run organizer), Traverse City Track Club, Grand Traverse Safe Streets Alliance, and the Complete Streets ad hoc committee. As a lifelong member of Civil Air Patrol, Boehmer participates in northern Michigan search-and-rescue operations.
Why Running for City Commission: “As a Traverse Heights homeowner, I see firsthand the infrastructure gaps affecting families throughout our city,” Boehmer says. “On my street alone, families with young children navigate daily without sidewalks or adequate street lighting, creating safety concerns and missing safe routes to school. These aren't just neighborhood issues – they represent the broader challenges Traverse City faces in balancing growth with livability. I'm running because I have the professional experience to address these challenges. I've helped secure more than $60 million in federal funding for public transit agencies, negotiated public-private partnerships that brought affordable internet services to 38,000 households, and won national awards for community engagement (APTA AdWheels Award)...I'm ready to put that experience to work through collaborative leadership that brings voices from every neighborhood to the table and gets results for the city I love.”
Key Issues/Priorities/Areas of Focus: “Fix our streets and infrastructure with complete streets and environmental best practices, keep families here through creative housing solutions, smart spending (getting the best value for our tax dollars), support local business/helping our year-round economy thrive,” he says.

Kenneth Funk
Bio: Funk, 41, is a firefighter and paramedic with the Traverse City Fire Department. He has a BA in exercise science from Adrian College. Funk previously applied to fill city commission vacancies in 2018 and 2022 and ran for office in 2023. He is eligible to run as a TCFD employee, though would not be able to negotiate any collective bargaining agreements on behalf of city firefighters if elected.
Why Running for City Commission: “I’m running again to prioritize the needs of the city residents,” he says. “Getting the services that we pay for in taxes. Focusing on the infrastructure needs of the residential areas and not just the downtown. Establishing a balance in regard to zoning changes that allow for mindful growth but prevent cancerous overdevelopment.”
Key Issues/Priorities/Areas of Focus: “Infrastructure, city services, natural resource preservation,” Funk says.

Mary Mills
Bio: Mills, 70, moved to Traverse City in 1973 to attend NMC. She has worked as an office administrator and has a Master of Divinity from Loyola University of Chicago. Mills is a past recipient of the United Way’s Volunteer of the Year award and previously served on Traverse City’s Master Plan Leadership Team as a city resident representative.
Why Running for City Commission: Mills did not return requests for comment for this story. However, when she ran for city commission in 2023, she spoke to The Ticker about regularly attending planning and city commission meetings and believing that the city is “likely to develop in a more strategic way when everyone is working from the same blueprint. When we are heard, we become proactive rather than reactive. It’s essential that the voices of our city residents are included. The residents are Traverse City.”
Key Issues/Priorities/Areas of Focus: Mills cited in her last election campaign “preservation of our neighborhoods, protect our natural resources, promote reasonable growth.”

Laura Ness
Bio: Ness, 59, currently serves as chair of the City of Traverse City and Garfield Township Recreational Authority, as well as of the Hickory Hills Advisory Committee. She is president and co-founder of the nonprofit Preserve Hickory and past president of the Grand Traverse Ski Club. A recent graduate of Traverse City’s City Academy, Ness has held volunteer and leadership roles with the Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, Traverse City Area Public Schools, the Great Lakes Sports Commission, the Yes! For City Parks Ballot Initiative, and 100 Women Who Care. She holds a master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Minnesota.
Why Running for City Commission: “Traverse City is at a crossroads,” Ness says. “We need thoughtful, practical, and proven leadership to tackle the real challenges we face, like housing affordability, climate resilience, investing in public infrastructure, and preserving our community character. My extensive experience and background in local government have prepared me for the immediate opportunities to hire a new city manager and support that person's success, guide the implementation of the new strategic plan, and redefine the culture of city government to foster greater openness and transparency...the number one issue I’ve consistently heard is that we need more listening from our local leaders. I am collaborative by nature and committed to active listening and public engagement to stay on track with the priorities of our citizens.”
Key Issues/Priorities/Areas of Focus: “Practical, proven leadership, ready to listen,” she says.

Peter Schous
Bio: Schous, 40, was born and raised in Dearborn and has lived in Traverse City for 12 years with his wife, with whom he owns a local hospitality company. He graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Schous has served on the Village of Empire planning commission for 10 years, including previously as chair and currently as vice chair.
Why Running for City Commission: “I am running for city commissioner because I am passionate about being a voice for all residents and making business-minded decisions that effectively allocate our tax dollars,” he says. “My focus will be on promoting small businesses, enhancing the beautification of our parks, and ensuring safety in our neighborhoods and downtown. I believe these efforts are essential for making Traverse City a thriving community for families and individuals alike. As a father of seven and a resident of downtown, I have a strong commitment to represent the diverse voices of our community. I want to ensure that our city remains a vibrant place where residents can thrive, and I believe my experiences in life, business, and local government provide me the qualities to achieve these goals.”
Key Issues/Priorities/Areas of Focus: “Priorities I would like to focus on would be addressing our unique neighborhood needs, beautification and safety in our parks and green spaces, ensuring a community where families can thrive for generations, and protecting our natural resources and the beauty they provide,” he says.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Amy Shamroe, Tim Werner, Lance Boehmer, Kenneth Funk, City of TC logo, Peter Schous, Laura Ness, Mary Mills