Sara King (Rochester City Council At-large, Michigan, candidate 2025)

Sara King

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, Rochester City Council At-large

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Rochester High School

Bachelor's

Michigan State University, 2007

Personal

Birthplace

Rochester, Mich.

Profession

Financial services

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Sara King ran for election to the Rochester City Council At-large in Michigan. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.

King completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Sara King provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on September 27, 2025:

• Birth date: September 11, 1984
• Birth place: Rochester, Michigan
• High school: Rochester High School
• Bachelor's: Michigan State University, 2007
• Gender: Female
• Profession: Financial Services
• Prior offices held:
  • Rochester City Council (2024-Prsnt)
• Incumbent officeholder: Yes
• Campaign slogan: Smart Growth. Strong Finances. Vibrant Community.
• Campaign Facebook

Elections

General election

General election for Rochester City Council At-large (4 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Rochester City Council At-large on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Dan Bachmann (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Jessica Clauser (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Christian Hauser (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Richard Kendziuk (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Sara King (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Ann Peterson (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Steve Sage (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Nancy L. Salvia (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for King in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Sara King completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by King's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong Rochester resident, proud to be raising my two daughters here with my husband. My dad grew up on Helen Street, and aside from attending Michigan State University and starting my career in Chicago, Rochester has always been home. I care deeply about preserving our small-town character while planning responsibly for the future.

Professionally, I am a Middle Market Banker at JPMorgan Chase, where I work with Michigan-based companies on financial strategy, investment, and growth. This experience gives me strong financial expertise and a practical, results-oriented approach to decision-making.

Civically, I serve on Rochester City Council and the RARA Recreation Authority board, and previously spent over three years on the Planning Commission, gaining knowledge of land use, zoning, and development issues that shape our community.

On Council, I prioritized fiscal responsibility, transparency, and investment in quality-of-life projects. I supported two balanced budgets without raising taxes and voted against a separate library millage, ensuring the library is funded through the city budget. I backed investment in critical infrastructure including roads and sewers, secured grant funding for the Clinton River Trail rebuild, and advanced expanded communication with quarterly police and code enforcement reports, as well as the Rochester Works app.

I am running for re-election to continue advancing Smart Growth, Strong Finances, and a Vibrant Community for Rochester.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Smart Sustainable Growth: Rochester is a desirable community to live in and thus growing, and we must do it responsibly. As a lifelong resident and former Planning Commissioner, I understand the importance of balancing development with preserving our small-town character. I support policies that encourage thriving small businesses while protecting the charm of our neighborhoods, managing the impact of traffic, and investing in public spaces that bring people together. Growth should strengthen our community without compromising what makes Rochester unique. I also support creating a sustainability committee to work with city departments to ensure long-term planning reflects environmental stewardship, resilience, and community well-being.
• Strong Finances: I bring financial expertise as a banker to my role on City Council. We plan three years forward and strengthened capital asset planning to prepare for large investments while maintaining roads, sewers, and water systems. I’ve supported two balanced budgets without raising taxes, voted against a separate library millage to keep funding within the city budget, and maintained a general fund balance exceeding 45% of expenditures — protecting our AAA rating while still putting taxpayer dollars to work. These budgets also fully fund our police and fire, ensuring public safety remains a top priority.
• Vibrant Community: Rochester is more than budgets and infrastructure — it’s about people, families, and connection. I support zoning that protects the character of our neighborhoods while allowing long-time businesses to thrive. I’ve backed investments in public spaces and critical infrastructure, secured grant funding for the Clinton River Trail rebuild, and worked to improve transparency through quarterly police and code enforcement reports and the Rochester Works app. As a member of the RARA Recreation Board, I also advocate for youth programs and inclusive recreation that strengthen our community.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a lifelong Rochester resident raising my family here, I’m passionate about policies that protect what makes our city special while planning for its future. I care deeply about smart growth that preserves neighborhood character and supports our local businesses, responsible budgeting that keeps taxes low while maintaining strong reserves, and investing in the places that bring us together — from parks and trails to youth programs and community events. Most of all, I value transparency and open communication so every resident feels included in shaping Rochester’s future.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An effective councilmember should be transparent, approachable, and willing to listen. I also think discipline and follow-through matter — residents expect us to not just talk about solutions, but make sure projects actually get done. My background in banking reinforces my belief that honesty and accountability are non-negotiable in public service.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

City Council sets priorities for Rochester — from how we invest in roads and sewers to how we protect our neighborhoods through zoning. We approve budgets, manage taxpayer dollars, and ensure city services remain strong. Most importantly, Council serves as the community’s voice and keeps local government accessible.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope my legacy is that I raised two strong daughters who saw their mom working hard to serve her community with integrity. For me, public service is about leaving Rochester better than I found it — stronger financially, more connected, and still rooted in its small-town charm.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Aside from babysitting, my first job was as a busser at a local country club. I worked there all through high-school and during breaks in college. I advanced to a server, did valet, filled in at the pro shop or wherever they needed me. It was a fun environment and I learned from an early age to adapt to different environments and people.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Like many working parents, I’ve struggled at times to balance my career, public service, and family life. I want to give my best to my job and my city, but also to be fully present as a mom. That challenge has made me more empathetic and determined to create a community where families feel supported.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Most residents don’t realize how much Council influences development. Decisions about zoning, density, and site plans determine what our neighborhoods look like years from now. Another lesser-known responsibility is appointing volunteers to city boards and commissions — a way to bring more residents into shaping Rochester’s future.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Experience helps, especially when it comes to understanding planning, budgets, and ordinances. My time on the Planning Commission and as RARA Board prepared me to dive into complex issues right away. That said, you don’t need decades of government experience — what matters most is being curious, asking question, and committed to listening to residents. I don't pretend to know everything or have all the answers, but I do my research, ask questions, listen and try to make the best decisions for our community.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Financial skills are critical — Council manages multi-million-dollar budgets and must plan for long-term investments in infrastructure. Equally important are communication and collaboration skills. We don't always agree, which is a good thing, but you have to be willing to work with others, learn from them, and make decisions in the best interest of residents and businesses in our community. As Councilmembers we must balance neighborhood concerns with business needs and turn those discussions into fair, workable policies.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

Rochester’s City Council is unique because it truly shapes the day-to-day character of the city. From supporting the library through the city budget, to deciding how to fund parks, to maintaining our AAA bond rating — these decisions touch residents immediately. Our work is visible in the streets, parks, and neighborhoods people use every day, and that makes us directly accountable to the community.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

Recently, I met a family who moved to Rochester specifically to be closer to RARA, which provides programming and respite care for their adult son with special needs. They shared how much it has meant to find a community that not only offers developmentally appropriate activities, camps, and support, but also connects them with other families who understand their journey. Hearing how Rochester’s programs and people have profoundly impacted their quality of life was a powerful reminder of why investing in inclusive recreation and community support is so important.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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