Republicans Greg Moore Jr. of Temperance, Jenna Morse of Monroe and Kristy Svatek-Whitson of Temperance are running for the Monroe County drain commissioner seat. The partial-term expires Dec. 31, 2028.
The candidates will be on the ballot for the Aug. 4 primary election. Several other races and proposals also will be on Monroe County ballots. May 14 is the deadline to submit proposals for the August election, said Annamarie Osment, Monroe County clerk. The Monroe News will report information on other races and proposals in the coming weeks.
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Morse was appointed interim drain commissioner in March. She will serve in the position until the post is filled by election on Nov. 3. David Thompson, the previous Monroe County drain commissioner, retired Dec. 15. Tim Csurgo, chief deputy drain commissioner, had been filling in as drain commissioner until Morse was appointed.
Greg Moore Jr.
Moore, 44, is broker/owner of Covenant Real Estate of Temperance. He’s served as an elected Monroe County commissioner since 2016.
“With my experience in real estate development, parcel assessments and valuation, coupled with my decade of public service on the Board of Commissioners, I have a unique familiarity and skill set that will serve the residents of Monroe County well in the drain commissioner’s Office,” Moore said.
“The residents of Monroe County need the office of drain commissioner to be represented by someone who understands how important relationships between local municipalities and the county truly are. They need a drain commissioner that will diligently scrutinize all contracts, water and sewer agreements with other counties and states, efficient drainage and ditch maintenance for homeowners at no extra cost and understands the importance of economic development through utility ready sites. Ultimately, as the drain commissioner, I will be mobile, efficient and quick to serve at the pleasure of the constituents,” Moore said.
Moore is a member of Christ the Word and volunteers at Tomahawk Archery Club and Southern Michigan Sportsman Club. He’s on the board of directors for Monroe County Business Alliance and Merryweather Farms. He’s a delegate to the Lake Erie West Regional Council.
Jenna Morse
Morse, 37, is currently serving as Monroe County drain commissioner.
Morse said she has more than 13 years experience working in county government. She started at the Monroe County Employment and Training department in November 2012 and has been with the Monroe County Drain Commissioner’s office since August 2015.
“I’m running for drain commissioner because I understand the responsibilities of the job, and I believe Monroe County residents deserve a drain commissioner who is knowledgeable of the Michigan Drain Code to fill the role. Drain commissioners across the state face a variety of ever-changing challenges. Although it is an elected position, I would not consider myself a politician. The position will be better-served based on knowledge and experience, rather than popularity. Experience matters,” Morse said.
“My focus as drain commissioner is to be fiscally responsible with the money of landowners,” Morse said. “In the state of Michigan, the drain commissioner is responsible for levying taxes to property owners for stormwater management maintenance and improvements. I will approach drainage projects and maintenance as if my own personal checkbook is involved, because I’ve felt the weight of heavy assessments. I’ve also personally experienced the devastation of extensive property damage from flooding, so I understand the importance of maintaining infrastructure.”
Morse is a member of the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners, South County Water Board, Monroe Metropolitan Water Pollution Control System, Monroe County Parks & Recreation Commission, SEMCOG General Assembly & Executive Committee, a parent-teacher organization, Monroe County Republican Party and Holy Ghost Lutheran Church.
Kristy Svatek-Whitson
Svatek-Whitson, 59, has been self-employed for more than 10 years after leaving an engineering career in the automotive industry. Currently, she is a real estate investor.
Svatek-Whitson said she was a poll worker and a precinct delegate. She was elected in 2024 to the board of trustees for Monroe County Community College.
“Because maintaining our precious land and water resources is extremely important to me, I am running for (drain commissioner) to improve the infrastructure for its drainage and waste water treatments, areas which require exceptional project management skills and clear communication and transparency to the public while working within existing law,” Svatek-Whitson said.
If elected, her goals are to “plan for the future by minimizing environmental impact on future infrastructure projects; improved communication and transparency with residents; being proactive, not reactive, on maintenance problems; make assessments low, fair and understandable; identify and address problem spots across the county; and improve environmental stewardship by preserving our wetlands and protecting our water quality,” Svatek-Whitson said.
Svatek-Whitson is a member and volunteer at Compelled Church and a member of Republican Women’s Club of Monroe County and Monroe County Republican Party. She volunteers for Heartbeat of Monroe.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Three Republicans running for Monroe County drain commissioner seat
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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