2015 Grand Rapids mayoral election

2015 Grand Rapids mayoral election

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Turnout	15.66%
Candidate Rosalynn Bliss Robert Dean Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Popular vote 13,248 5,971 Percentage 66.19% 29.83%
Precinct results Bliss:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Dean:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%      No votes
Mayor before election George Heartwell Elected mayor Rosalynn Bliss

The 2015 Grand Rapids mayoral election took place on August 4, 2015. Following a 2014 change to the city charter, which adopted a two-term limit for mayors, incumbent Mayor George Heartwell was unable to seek a fourth term. ^[1] City Commissioner Rosalynn Bliss defeated former State Representative Robert Dean in the primary election, winning 66 percent of the vote, eliminating the need for a runoff election, and became the first female Mayor of Grand Rapids. ^[2]

Candidates

• Rosalynn Bliss, City Commissioner ^[3]
• Robert Dean, former State Representative ^[4]
• John George, retired engineer ^[5]
• Willard Lee, military veteran ^[6]

Primary election results

2015 Grand Rapids mayoral election ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Rosalynn Bliss	13,248	66.19%
	Nonpartisan	Robert Dean	5,971	29.83%
	Nonpartisan	John George	567	2.83%
	Nonpartisan	Willard Lee	230	1.15%
Total votes			20,016	100.00%

References

1. Vande Bunte, Matt (November 6, 2014). "The end is near: Long-serving mayor to be ousted by new municipal term limits". The Grand Rapids Press . Grand Rapids, Michigan. p. A1. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
2. Vande Bunte, Matt (August 5, 2015). "Bliss elected mayor". The Grand Rapids Press . Grand Rapids, Michigan. p. A1. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
3. Vande Bunte, Matt (January 29, 2015). "Commissioner begins campaign to be city's first female mayor". The Grand Rapids Press . Grand Rapids, Michigan. p. A1. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
4. Vande Bunte, Matt (April 21, 2015). "Former state representative announces candidacy for mayor". The Grand Rapids Press . Grand Rapids, Michigan. p. A3. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
5. Vande Bunte, Matt (March 19, 2015). "Mayoral candidate's platform: no more fluoride". The Grand Rapids Press . Grand Rapids, Michigan. p. A4. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
6. "Four-way race begins for mayor". The Grand Rapids Press . Grand Rapids, Michigan. April 26, 2015. p. A3. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
7. "2015 Aug 4: General Election: Mayor: City of Grand Rapids". Kent County Clerk. 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2025.