The Ballot Brief
Kent County, Michigan

City of Grand Rapids City Comptroller

2 candidates are tracked for City of Grand Rapids City Comptroller on the November 3, 2026 ballot: David Bulkowski and Max Frantz. Candidate information follows official Kent County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Nonpartisan citywide race for a 4-year term, per the Kent County Clerk's official candidate list. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

What this office does

County auditor. The county auditor keeps the county's books, processes payments and payroll, and prepares financial reports. In some states the auditor also calculates property tax rates, oversees elections or certifies the budget. The office is a check on how county money is spent.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. 4-year term. The sitting officeholder, Max Frantz, is on the ballot.

Michigan › Kent County › City of Grand Rapids City Comptroller

David Bulkowski

Nonpartisan

Top priorities
  • Fulfill the charter-mandated independent audits and oversight of municipal spending.
  • Expand resident involvement in tax dollar allocation through participatory budgeting.
  • Inform residents about city expenditures and return-on-investment metrics for tax incentives and similar funding mechanisms.

Per the campaign site.

Biography

David Bulkowski is a lifelong Grand Rapids area resident who earned a graduate degree from Wayne State University; he served on the Grand Rapids School Board from 2001 to 2004 and as a Kent County Commissioner from 2012 to 2022, per his campaign site. He has worked with Disability Advocates of Kent County since 1995 and chaired Friends of Transit campaigns supporting Rapid public transportation millages over several election cycles, per the same source.

Max Frantz

Nonpartisan Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Publish itemized government expenses for public review
  • Preserve the independence of the Comptroller's Office under the city charter

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Max Frantz is the sitting Grand Rapids City Comptroller, seeking reelection. He studied finance at Grand Valley State University and built a private-sector career spanning corporate finance, risk management, treasury and financial reporting, per his campaign site and the city's Comptroller's Office.

Next on your ballotCity of Grand Rapids City Commissioner, 1st Ward

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for City of Grand Rapids City Comptroller in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for City of Grand Rapids City Comptroller on the November 3, 2026 ballot: David Bulkowski and Max Frantz. Candidate information follows official Kent County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the City of Grand Rapids City Comptroller election in Michigan?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Michigan are on the Michigan election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Kent County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Kent County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Michigan election office, or see the full Kent County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Kent County ballot

42 tracked races in Kent County, Michigan. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
City of Grand Rapids City Commissioner, 2nd WardCity of Grand Rapids City Commissioner, 3rd WardCity of Grand Rapids Library BoardSee all 42 Kent County races
Candidate profiles
David Bulkowski, full profileMax Frantz, full profileOfficial Michigan election office