Kris Pachla
Experienced. Dedicated. Compassionate.
I’m a parent and husband, educator, runner, County Commissioner---and now running for State Representative.
I grew up on the East side of the state in an auto industry family. I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a teacher, first tutoring and supporting others in K-12, then going to GVSU where I earned degrees in math, physics, and education. Along the way I got to know the beating heart of K-12 systems in West Michigan, student assisting in Comstock Park, student teaching in Hudsonville, and administrative interning at Caledonia High School.
I’ve spent my career focused on building stronger systems and smarter communities. I started out teaching high school physics in public schools, earned a PhD in education policy, and worked nationally on STEM and workforce programs before returning home to West Michigan. Since then, I’ve served as both a City and County Commissioner, where I’ve prioritized early childhood education, sustainability, infrastructure, and transparent, people-first governance. I believe government should work for people---not around them.
Now, I’m running to represent Michigan’s 80th House District because we need an adult in the room, rooted in three E's: Education, the Environment, and Everyday Economics that improve everyone's bottom line. We deserve a representative who listens, leads with integrity, and knows how to get things done. We deserve serious, competent leadership, and even a little bit of policy wonk. I'll read the bill before I vote on it, and use my role in government not as a weapon or show, but as a tool to build dignity, opportunity, and justice for everyone.
I’m honored to be on this journey to November 2026 together.
Key Issues
My platform is focused on three E's:
Education. The Environment. Everyday Economics.
01
Education
Every child deserves a high-quality education, from pre-k to grey. Every teacher deserves to be respected, supported, and well-compensated.
02
The Environment
We can create sustainability and climate policy that is rooted in science and urgency. Good environmental policy can be green-green wins: Good for the environment and the economy.
03
Everyday Economics
With costs rising and wages stagnant, we need leaders to focus on issues that improve Everyone's bottom line, like health care, early childhood education, and rising energy costs.