Six candidates for three open Marquette City Commission seats made their case to voters Wednesday, Sept. 23, at a League of Women Voters of Marquette County forum inside Lakeview Arena.

A seventh candidate, Matthew Luttenberger, did not attend. No reason for his absence was given, WZMQ 19 News reported.

Seven candidates filed for the three seats by the July 21 deadline, according to city election records. Marquette voters will choose among them Nov. 3.

Each candidate answered the same audience-submitted questions. The format allowed no cross-talk or rebuttal.

Here is who showed up and what they emphasized:

Mark Curran, president of apartment construction firm Curran and Company, focused on housing and tourism.

Paul Schloegel, the current mayor of Marquette who has served on multiple city boards, is seeking a commission seat.

Marcella Krupski, who has more than 15 years in business ownership and hospitality and previously served as a staff member for U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, according to WZMQ, said her priorities are affordability and transportation.

Ross W. Johnson, general manager of Double Trouble Entertainment and a former finish carpenter for the City of Marquette, centered his answers on tourism and public works.

Kevin A. Clegg, chair of the Marquette City Planning Commission, pushed for a tourism tax and lower building costs.

Margaret Brumm, a Marquette native, rounded out the field.

Jo Foley, convener for the League of Women Voters of Marquette County, said the question-and-answer format keeps the focus on substance. "We don't encourage debate, they're answering questions that the audience asked, and we have each candidate answer each question," Foley told WZMQ.

She called the field "a really interesting mix of possibilities" who would bring varied experience to the commission.

The full forum stream is available on the League of Women Voters of Marquette County YouTube channel. In a Sept. 18 WZMQ preview, Foley said the organization has been eager to expand its reach beyond Marquette as a countywide group.

The LWVMC plans to hold a second forum for Ishpeming mayor and city council candidates at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Ishpeming High School. It will be the first time the organization has hosted a forum in Ishpeming, according to the Mining Journal.