Q&A: See which issues matter most to Portage's 9 City Council ...

Kathleen has a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. 

Kalamazoo County candidates – South County News

Kathleen is a business owner. She previously worked in the non-profit sector, in banking, and in mortgage servicing. 

Kathleen Olmsted ran for Kalamazoo County Clerk in 2024, but she did not win. 

Opposes county charges for retrieving property and other records.

Opposes the county charging citizens  for retrieving property and other records, saying "County citizens should not be charged for every little transaction. I will change that."

Supports "promoting alternatives to raising property taxes."

Supports promoting quality growth in the city.

- Opposes the county charging citizens  for retrieving property and other records, saying "County citizens should not be charged for every little transaction. I will change that."
- Supports "promoting alternatives to raising property taxes."
- Supports promoting quality growth in the city.

Economy

As of August 14, 2025, Kathleen Olmsted’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports law enforcement and believes in "enforcing safety within our community."

Supports protecting seniors and veterans.

- Supports law enforcement and believes in "enforcing safety within our community."
- Supports protecting seniors and veterans.

Public Safety

Healthcare

Supports modernization of the clerk's office.

Wants to modernize and enhance the clerk's office.

Supports enhancing transparency in city government.

- Wants to modernize and enhance the clerk's office.
- Supports enhancing transparency in city government.

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Transportation & Infrastructure

Kathleen Olmsted

Opposes the county charging homeowners to retrieve property and other records.

Kathleen Olmsted has a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. She is self-employed and has spent 25 years in mortgage servicing and management, nonprofit board leadership, and is a business owner.

Kathleen is a business owner. She previously worked in banking and mortgage servicing for over 25 years. She was responsible for maintaining and correcting mortgage records and working with county clerks throughout the United States.

Kathleen Olmsted is running for the Republican nomination for Kalamazoo County Clerk and Register of Deeds in 2024. This is her first run for public office.

As of August 14, 2025, Kathleen Olmsted did not have a website or any information online.

- City council members in Michigan help make city-level laws, approve budgets, and oversee city services to serve the community’s needs. 
- Council members attend regular meetings, listen to public concerns, and vote on city issues like zoning, public safety, and spending. They also appoint and direct officials, like the city manager.
- City council members may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. They may represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Terms for city council members often last two or four years, depending on the city.