Jon O’Connor was first elected to the City Commission in 2015 after serving four years on the Grand Rapids Board of Education. Jon is a former member of the Grand Rapids Board of Housing Appeal. He has served on the boards of West Leonard Business Association, John Ball Area Neighborhood and the Grand Rapids Parks Commission and is the co-owner and founder of Long Road Distillery.
He says his continued service and love of the west side of Grand Rapids has earned him another term.
“I’ve had a real fortunate opportunity to serve the 1st Ward for the last four years,” O’Connor said. “My background as an entrepreneur, small business owner and my background in real estate brings a very valuable perspective to the city commission. My time on the school board, these two opportunities to serve I think I have proven myself a capable public servant.”
Jon faces new comer and challenger Allison Lutz in the upcoming election, if he wins it will be his last term on the commission due to term limits that were adopted in 2014.
Meanwhile, the City of Grand Rapids is reminding voters it’s not too late to register to vote. With Proposal 3 passing last November, voters in Michigan now have the opportunity to cast a “no reason” absentee vote, and they can also register the day of the election, which for the city commissioner’s race in the 1st Ward, is November 5th. Voters will decide between 3 candidates in the city’s 2nd ward, this Tuesday.