WHY I'M RUNNING
Hi, I’m Kristin McHale-Johnson, and I’m running for City Commission because I believe in building a community that’s inclusive, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of everyone who lives here.
I believe local government should be:
- Responsive, transparent, and inclusive
- Data-informed and practical
- Focused on real people and real outcomes
I’ve spent my entire career building tools, systems, and teams that help organizations run better. I don’t just want to talk about what’s broken—I want to help fix it.
I believe government should be efficient, but also compassionate. I care deeply about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—because those aren’t partisan values, they’re human ones.
If elected, I’ll approach this role the same way I’ve approached every challenge in my career: with integrity, humility, and a drive to make things better for the people who count on me.
Issues
I support the City of Plymouth’s 2022–2026 Strategic Plan and the work already underway to create a more connected, sustainable, and livable community. As a candidate, I’m committed to continuing that momentum—and reinforcing the progress we’ve made. That said, these two issue areas are especially top of mind for me:
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Human Dignity
I’m committed to making Plymouth a place where everyone feels seen, valued, and safe—regardless of race, religion, gender, ability, sexual orientation, income level, or immigration status. Our city is stronger when we make space for diverse voices and lived experiences. That includes ensuring our public institutions treat all people with fairness, dignity, and respect—and creating a welcoming environment that attracts residents from all backgrounds who want to call Plymouth home.
I support:
- Strengthening equity, inclusion, and anti-bias training for city staff, boards, and leadership
- Proactively engaging underrepresented voices in local decision-making
- Ensuring all residents—regardless of citizenship or background—feel welcome using city services and feel encouraged to get involved in local decisions
- Protecting the constitutional rights of all individuals, including freedom of expression and due process
Climate Awareness & Sustainable Growth
As Plymouth grows, we need to protect the environment that makes this city so special. I believe in smart, sustainable development that plans for the future—both environmentally and economically.
I support:
- Continued expansion of green infrastructure: rain gardens, native plantings, permeable surfaces, and a thriving tree canopy
- Encouraging energy-efficient upgrades across city operations and new development
- Supporting thoughtful growth that preserves neighborhood character while protecting important public spaces and natural resources like parks, trees, and stormwater systems for future generations
Responsible, Transparent Government
I believe in being careful with taxpayer money. Government spending should be responsible, transparent, and limited where possible—as long as basic human needs are met.
I support:
- Looking for ways to improve city operations and identify cost saving opportunities without sacrificing important services
- Investigating system and process improvements that make it easier and more cost-effective to serve residents
- Being open with the public about where money is going and why
- Asking hard questions to make sure we’re getting the most value out of every dollar
Like many residents, I’d love to see lower taxes—but I also want to make sure we’re making smart decisions that protect the long-term health of our community. I’m not coming in with assumptions, but I’m committed to digging into the numbers and advocating for thoughtful, efficient leadership.
about me
I grew up in a household with strong traditional values and attended Hillsdale College, a place that reinforced the beliefs I was raised with. I shared that I was gay during college, and that experience was incredibly difficult—navigating rejection, being pressured into harmful treatment programs meant to change my identity, and being told to hide who I was—but that experience shaped me into the person I am today: resilient, empathetic, and committed to building a community where everyone feels seen, respected, and safe.
After college, I moved to metro Detroit and started building a life with my now-wife, who was teaching middle school at the time. Hearing how some of her students came to school hungry challenged what I believed about how success works and what families need to thrive—and led me to start reevaluating some of my values and beliefs.
Today, my wife and I are raising our two daughters here in Plymouth, where we’ve lived since 2016. Being part of this community as a parent has deepened my commitment to making sure it remains a welcoming, supportive place for all families.
Professionally, I’ve built a career leading large, complex teams and technology implementations while managing multimillion-dollar operating budgets. I’ve worked in financial and HR technology, helping organizations improve how they serve people and manage their teams, processes and technology solutions—often in environments where thoughtful problem solving and cross-departmental collaboration were essential.
Whether it’s launching new products or creating alignment across diverse stakeholders, I’m used to making tough decisions, staying grounded in data, and finding solutions that work for real people.