Democrat Emanuel Reese to challenge Republican Stan Klotz for Marshall County Commissioner seat

Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 12:30 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Marshall County Commissioner Stan Klotz, a Republican, will face a challenger in this fall's general election after the Marshall County Democratic Party slated a candidate to run against him.

Emanuel Reese, a Bremen-area resident and 17-year Marshall County community member, has stepped forward as the Democratic candidate for the seat. Reese brings a diverse background to the race, having served in the Navy, owned a small business, and worked as a health and safety coordinator and maintenance supervisor in long-term healthcare. He describes himself as a proud union supporter and advocate for working families and farmers.

Reese and his wife Angie, married 21 years, live in the countryside near Bremen. They have raised four children and are grandparents to four.

Originally from the small rural Michigan communities of Cassopolis and Vandalia, Reese has called Marshall County home for 17 years, including 15 years in Plymouth. During that time, he has been an active presence in the community — coaching youth basketball and little league baseball, and owning an award-winning BBQ business voted "Best BBQ in Marshall County."

Perhaps the most defining chapter of Reese's life came in 2020, when he and his family lost their son Jaisyn to DIPG, a rare and aggressive form of childhood brain cancer. The experience transformed Reese into a passionate advocate for childhood cancer awareness and for supporting families navigating unimaginable loss. He has spoken of witnessing firsthand the compassion and resilience of Marshall County communities rallying around families in their darkest moments.

Now channeling that experience and community commitment into a run for public office, Reese says his campaign will be centered on innovative but responsible change, transparency in government, investment in infrastructure, support for local businesses and agriculture, and ensuring Marshall County remains a place where future generations can live, work, and thrive.

"Servant Leadership. Progress. Marshall County First." — that is the message Reese is carrying into the fall campaign.

The general election contest between Reese and incumbent Commissioner Klotz will take place this November.