Julianne Chard and Bill O'Reilly Announce Bids for Chelsea Mayor ...

Candidate website

Julianne Chard is from South Lyon, Michigan and currently lives in Chelsea. She has a bachelor's degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University and a master's degree in architecture from the University of Michigan. She serves as a member of the Washtenaw Conservation District Board. She previously served on the Chelsea Planning Commission and is currently the chairperson for the Transportation Working Group.

Julianne is a licensed architect and a project manager at the University of Michigan. She previously worked as a project manager at General Motors and as a business analyst at Compuware. 

Julianne's campaign for Chelsea Mayor is her first entry into politics. 

Chelsea City Council Candidates Share Vision for the Future | The ...

Plans to keep taxes low and prioritize community needs over wants.

Plans to keep taxes land city costs low and prioritize "needs over wants."

Wants to ensure the city remains affordable for residents. 

- Plans to keep taxes land city costs low and prioritize "needs over wants."
- Wants to ensure the city remains affordable for residents. 

Economy

Wants to address the rising costs of housing and utilities in Chelsea.

Wants to address the "rising costs of housing and utilities in Chelsea."

Wants to address gentrification in Chelsea and its repercussions.

- Wants to address the "rising costs of housing and utilities in Chelsea."
- Opposes city gentrification. 

Housing & Urban Development

Wants to address rising costs of housing and utilities citywide. 

- Wants to address rising costs of housing and utilities citywide. 

Public Safety

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

Healthcare

Aims to address traffic and city service costs.

Wants to address traffic and city service costs.

Said, "I will not accept contributions from any political organizations... There is no provision prohibiting candidates from accepting contributions partisan in nature. But to do so violates the intent and spirit of our Charter and the non-partisan process."

- Wants to address traffic and city service costs.
- Said, "I will not accept contributions from any political organizations... There is no provision prohibiting candidates from accepting contributions partisan in nature. But to do so violates the intent and spirit of our Charter and the non-partisan process."

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

Julianne Chard

Julianne Chard has a bachelor's degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University and a master's degree in architecture from the University of Michigan. She has lived in Chelsea for seven years.

Julianne is a project manager at the University of Michigan, where she has worked since 2015. She previously worked as a project manager at General Motors and as a business analyst at Compuware. She also served as a project manager for the City of Chelsea's 2021-2022 capital improvement plan.

Julianne Chard's campaign for Chelsea Mayor is her first entry into politics. She has served on the Chelsea Planning Commission since 2021 and is currently the chairperson for the Transportation Working Group.

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

Walter Ley

Buket Urgen

Chelsea City Councilmember Kate Henson Announces Candidacy ...

Kate is from Chelsea. She lives with her husband and their two daughters.

Kate is the founder of ALI Collaborative, a leadership workshop for women. She also works as a consultant for Exodus Consulting Group, LLC. Kate also works as the director of programs and finance at General Systems and the LEAD Institute. 

Chelsea City Council chooses new member | WEMU-FM

Kate Henson currently serves on the Chelsea City Council. She was sworn in on May 5, 2025, to fill a vacant position. Kate previously served as the President of the Chelsea School District Board of Trustees.

Wants to preserve Chelsea's character while fostering innovation, opportunity, and equity.

- Wants to preserve Chelsea's character while fostering innovation, opportunity, and equity.

Plans to focus on affordable housing, public safety, and sustainable development if elected.

Plans to focus on affordable housing and sustainable development if elected.

- Plans to focus on affordable housing and sustainable development if elected.

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

Supports community engagement and transparency in city government.

- Supports community engagement and transparency in city government.

Supports "people-first policies and sustainable local growth."

- Supports "people-first policies and sustainable local growth."

LinkedIn

Facebook

Kate Henson

Kate Henson is from Chelsea. She lives with her husband and their two daughters.

Kate is the Director of Programs at General Systems, where she focuses on organizational and leadership development. She also created leadership programs aimed at women and girls.

Kate is currently a Chelsea City Councilmember. She was sworn in on May 5, 2025, to fill the vacant position left by Bill Ruddock's resignation. Henson previously served on the Chelsea School District Board of Trustees before joining the City Council. 

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

Plans to focus on sustainable development.

- A mayor’s job can be different in each city, but they usually make sure city laws are followed, help create and manage the city’s budget, appoint people to boards and committees, and oversee city services like police, fire departments, parks, and public transportation.
- The mayor works with the city council and sometimes helps make decisions by voting.
- They may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. 
- They are elected to a two- or four-year term, depending on the city.

Chelsea Mayor

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