Marshall Kilgore

09/07/2026

Are you a fan of safe working conditions, hard hat requirements, fair wages, weekends, retirement benefits, or paid sick leave? Then you’re a fan of the labor movement.

So much of what we consider “normal” in the workplace today was fought for and won by working people who organized and stood together because they believed that every person deserves dignity, safety, and fairness on the job.

This Labor Day, let’s celebrate the workers who built our communities, honor the generations of workers who fought for better conditions, and recognize those who continue organizing for a better future. The rights we have today didn’t happen by accident, and they’re worth protecting.

Happy Labor Day to working people everywhere.💜

09/02/2026

Our neighbors have made it clear: they’re ready for something different from the same old, tired politics that deliver too little for working people while corporations and special interests make out like bandits. I’m proud to support Abbie Groff Blazak because I believe she’ll bring real leadership and results to Lansing. Join me, , and vote Abbie for our next state senator on Election Day.💜

I am happy to announce the endorsement of Grand Rapids Ward 3 Commissioner Marshall Kilgore. A dedicated public servant, Marshall has committed his career to advancing environmental justice, advocating for human rights, and building thriving, inclusive communities. Everyone who's met Marshall knows his exuberance, kindness, and drive to connect folks. The lucky ones, like those who attended the Kent Dems Unity Breakfast the morning after the Primary, have also tasted his excellent cooking!

Thank you for your support, Marshall. I am looking forward to serving the residents of Grand Rapids alongside you.

08/31/2026

I’d love to invite neighbors from across the 3rd Ward and Grand Rapids to join us for a community conversation about public safety.

This event is about bringing neighbors together for an open conversation about public safety and the well-being of our community. Public safety touches so many parts of our daily lives, from neighborhood safety and community policing to violence prevention, emergency response, and supporting our most vulnerable neighbors. We’ll hear an update from new Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Joseph Trigg, followed by an opportunity for residents to ask questions, share their perspectives, and talk about what safety means for our community.

Location: LifeQuest GR
Date: Tuesday, September 15th
Time: 5:30–7:00 PM

Whether you have a question, a concern, or simply want to listen and be part of the conversation, I hope you’ll join us. Your voice matters, and I want to make sure our approach to public safety reflects the people who actually live here.

Hope to see you there!

08/26/2026

My thoughts on Flock.

Thank you to the dozens of neighbors who came out and made their voices heard about their concerns with Flock cameras. The conversation around automated license plate readers, privacy, public safety, and how surveillance technology is used in our community is an important one, and I appreciate everyone who took the time to participate.

As reported by MLive following our meeting:

“Third Ward Commissioner Marshall Kilgore said the issues surrounding Flock cameras and concerns around privacy are complex, and the city needs time to weigh the best course of action.

Kilgore said he supports the measures being proposed by the American Civil Liberties Union, which included canceling Grand Rapids’ contract with Flock, establishing transparent auditing and reporting requirements or creating strict data sharing restrictions.”

I look forward to reviewing our current surveillance policy and exploring whether it needs to be updated, or whether Grand Rapids should establish a clearly defined policy specifically governing automated license plate readers. The ACLU has developed guidance for communities on these technologies, and I believe we should take a serious look at those recommendations as we consider the best path forward.

This is ultimately about finding the right balance between public safety, accountability, privacy, and the rights of the people who call Grand Rapids home. I want to continue hearing directly from residents on these concerns.

What do you think Grand Rapids should do? Please continue sharing your thoughts with me directly at [email protected].

I’ll put the coverage from the meeting and the ACLU letter in the comments. 👇🏾

08/25/2026

Today, I’m reflecting on the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, who has passed away. It’s hard to put into words what she has meant to so many people, but I know her music, kindness, and generosity have touched generations.

I’ve been a country music fan for a long time. Many of my loved ones have teased me about it over the years because, as a Black and q***r man, I’m not necessarily who you picture when you think of the Grand Ole Opry. But I’ve always found something deeply human in old-school country music. The best of it tells the truth about life: the heartbreak and the joy, the struggle and the hope, the pain and the beauty. Those are things every one of us can understand, regardless of where we come from.

Dolly embodied that spirit so beautifully.

Her commitment to literacy through the Imagination Library is especially meaningful to me. Giving a child a book is about so much more than putting words on a page. It is giving them imagination. It is giving them a chance to dream, learn, explore, and see possibilities beyond what they may see around them. Literacy opens doors, strengthens communities, and can change the trajectory of a life.

That is something I hope to continue championing right here in Grand Rapids. Every child in our city deserves access to books, opportunities to learn, and the tools they need to imagine a future bigger than their circumstances.

But beyond her music and philanthropy, Dolly was a shining beacon of kindness, happiness, generosity, and hope. She showed us that you can have an enormous platform without losing your humility, and that success can be measured by how many people you help along the way.

In her honor, I hope we can all carry a little more of that spirit into our own lives. Be kinder. Give more freely. Make someone laugh. Help a child dream. Offer hope when someone needs it most.

I’m enjoying being at City Commission today with a jam-packed meeting, but I can’t wait to get home later and listen to Dolly’s “Shine.”

“Heaven, let your light shine down.”

That feels like the perfect hope for our city: that even through difficult days, we continue to let our light shine, look out for one another, and make Grand Rapids a place where every person has the opportunity to find a little more hope.

Thank you, Dolly, for showing us how much light one person can bring into the world.

Read more on my substack:

https://marshallkilgore.substack.com/p/remembering-dolly-parton-let-your?r=qtwj5&utm_medium=ios

08/25/2026

Did you know that music legends like Al Green and The DeBarges have connections to Grand Rapids’ Southside?

I had the opportunity to get an update on the 3rd Ward Legacy Tour project, and it was so cool learning more about how this project will help uncover and celebrate the stories, people, places, and history that make the Southside so special.

From music legends and community leaders to local landmarks and hidden gems, the Legacy Tour will give residents and visitors new ways to explore the rich history of our community. I was especially excited to learn about the interactive kiosks coming soon that will help bring these stories to life in a fun and engaging way.

A huge thank you to Stephen and Taylor Smith at Muse GR and Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA) for the incredible work you’re doing on this project and for helping shine a light on the beauty, culture, and legacy of the Southside. There are so many stories here that deserve to be told, and I can’t wait for folks to experience them.

As your commissioner, I’m proud to have championed funding to support the 3rd Ward mural project and the Legacy Tour. These investments are about more than beautifying our community. They are about honoring our history, celebrating our culture, and making sure the stories of the Southside are preserved and shared for generations to come.

The Southside has always been full of history. Now, we’re making sure more people get to discover it.

08/14/2026

I believe deeply that we have to be willing to say clearly: hatred and bigotry have no place in public service, in our communities, or in our hearts.

The situation involving Plainfield Township Trustee Bob Reminga is a painful reminder that words matter, especially when they come from someone entrusted with serving the public. Racist and hateful rhetoric causes real harm. It damages trust, divides neighbors, and sends a message to members of our community that they are somehow less worthy of dignity, respect, and belonging.

The photo from inside the meeting says so much. A neighbor stood holding a sign that read, “Hate Makes No One Great.” I’m proud of the folks who stood together, showed up, and called this out. Their presence and willingness to speak up demonstrate the kind of courage our communities need.

I know firsthand how scary it can be to stand up for what is right. Speaking out can be difficult, especially when you know there may be criticism, pressure, or consequences. But it is always worth it when you are standing up for the dignity and humanity of your neighbors.

I stand firmly against racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, misogyny, and every other form of hatred and bigotry. There is no place for these beliefs in our public institutions or in the leadership of our communities.

Public office is a position of trust. People who choose to serve have a responsibility to represent their entire community and uphold the dignity of the people they serve. That responsibility requires integrity, accountability, and respect for every person.

We should be building communities where our neighbors feel welcomed, valued, and safe. We should be creating a culture where people have the courage to stand together when someone is targeted because of who they are.

As your commissioner I will continue to stand against hatred and bigotry wherever they appear, and I’m grateful for everyone who has the courage to do the same. Our communities are stronger when we choose compassion, courage, and inclusion. 💜

Read the full story here:

https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/plainfield-township-trustee-censured-over-racist-post-refuses-to-resign/

08/12/2026

It was my pleasure to serve pancakes and do my part to help bring our team together after the primary election! 🥞

Unity is about more than simply standing together. It’s about pushing one another to be better, stronger, and more prepared to meet the moment. We may have supported different candidates, have different ideas on policy, and sometimes disagree on the best path forward, but we can still come together around the values and communities we care about.

I’m grateful for every candidate, volunteer, organizer, and supporter who showed up with a spirit of solidarity. We are stronger when we listen to one another, learn from one another, and challenge each other to do better.

At the end of the day, we are one team with one goal: to serve our neighbors the best way possible. Let’s keep supporting one another, keep building together, and keep showing up for the people we’re here to serve. 🙌🏾💜

08/11/2026

I’m sharing this as a call-in to our Congresswoman, Hillary Scholten, rooted in respect and a genuine belief that we can do better for our communities.

I believe it is time for our nation to seriously reimagine how we approach immigration enforcement. ICE was created in 2003 by combining immigration and customs enforcement functions, but our responsibility today should be to ask whether this structure is actually producing the safe, humane, and accountable outcomes our communities deserve.

I believe ICE should ultimately be abolished and replaced with a fundamentally different approach to immigration: one that prioritizes due process, human dignity, family unity, accountability, and public safety without creating fear in the communities we represent.

As elected officials, it is incumbent upon us to be creative enough to fund and build better solutions. We cannot simply continue pouring resources into broken systems and call that public safety. We can enforce our laws while treating people humanely. We can address trafficking and serious crime while protecting due process. We can build an immigration system that people can trust.

Please take a moment to read this joint statement from elected officials and local leaders across our community. This is a call for conversation, accountability, and ultimately a better way forward.

We are stronger when we stand together, and I believe we can build something better.

08/08/2026

“The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we have defined it.”

— David Orr