2025 Michigan General Election

Kathalee W. James

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James Auchincloss

Buket Urgen

Kathalee W. James is from Savannah, Georgia. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oakland University. She currently serves as Acting Pastor for the late Pastor Matthew Moses Scott of Eastside Church of God. She is the proud mother of two adult daughters, Kathleen and Kristian, and the proud grandmother of four wonderful grandchildren.

Kathalee is a retired Senior Quality Engineer at General Motors. She worked there for 31 years, starting as a Production Supervisor and later specializing in quality processes, continuous improvement, and problem-solving. She also served as the Secretary of the City of Pontiac Historic District Commission. 

District 4 Kathalee James

Kathalee is currently the Councilwoman for Pontiac City Council, District 4. She was elected in November 2021 and is serving a four-year term.

Plans to establish a District #4 Business Development Council to enhance local business performance.

Economy

Plans to establish a District #4 Business Development Council to enhance the performance of local businesses.

Housing & Urban Development

Wants to improve public safety in neighborhoods and invest in security technology throughout the city.

Public Safety

As of August 13, 2025, Kathalee W. James did not have a website or any information online.

Healthcare

Plans to establish a District #4 Community Development Council with regular meetings to encourage community input and develop leadership.

Promises to build a new community center for Pontiac residents within four years or sooner.

Aims to create partnerships within the city to help fund public features and pursue other placemaking techniques to create unique business clusters within District #4.

Supports investing in parks to ensure they are clean, safe, and enjoyable for community members.

Supports updating the charter to require mandatory training for all City of Pontiac elected officials in areas such as city charters and ordinances, human relations, contracts, business interpersonal skills, municipal budgeting, and Pontiac’s history.

Supports regular off-site meetings for Mayor and Council to foster communication and trust.

Supports implementing quality processes to ensure compliance with established standards and policies.

Supports the establishment of an independent Parks and Recreation Commission.

Plans to hire a parks and recreation director with grant writing experience to pursue funding for parks.

Public Services

Supports establishing a new parks and recreation department under economic and community development.

Energy & the Environment

Transportation & Infrastructure

- 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.

Passes laws and regulations for your city.