Pacific, Belchak will compete in November to represent Grand Rapid’s First Ward

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids voters on Tuesday, Aug. 6, selected two candidates who will advance to a run-off election for the Grand Rapids City Commission First Ward seat.

Dean Pacific and AliciaMarie Belchak earned the most votes in Tuesday’s primary election, beating two other candidates in the primary race for the First Ward seat, according to unofficial election results from the Kent County Clerk’s Office.

Pacific came in first place with 2,912 votes, or 36.77% of the vote, while Belchak came in second with 2,433 votes or 30.72%. They will now face off each other again in a Nov. 5 general election to determine who will earn the seat.

Melanie Droski and Mike Fassbender were the two candidates who were defeated in Tuesday’s election. Droski earned 1,898 votes (23.97%), while Fassbender earned 624 votes (7.88%), according to unofficial election results.

The Kent County Clerk’s website initially listed the incomplete total numbers with all 23 precincts reporting by 11:12 p.m. on Tuesday, but the site was updated by midnight with the complete totals.

The open First Ward seat is currently held by commissioner Jon O’Connor, who is term limited and unable to seek reelection. The other Grand Rapids First Ward commissioner, Drew Robbins, will be up for reelection in 2026.

The city’s First Ward encompasses all of the west side, as well as a portion of the city east of the Grand River. The section east of the river is generally bounded by Fulton Street to the north, the city’s border to the south and Division Avenue to the east.

Pacific has worked for the past 28 years as an attorney for Warner Norcross + Judd in Grand Rapids. He currently serves on the Grand Rapids Civilian Appeals Board and the Head Start for Kent County board.

Previously, Pacific served on boards and committees for John Ball Zoo and Faith Hospice as well as various church and school boards and committees, including those at Sacred Heart and Holy Spirit parishes and at West Catholic High School.

Belchak has worked as a freelance journalist and writer for 20 years, and is also a self-employed marketing consultant, speaker and a life and leadership coach.

She is a board member for the West Grand Neighborhood Organization and volunteers at JBAN/SWAN(John Ball Area Neighborhood/South West Area Neighbors), Grand Rapids Public Schools, The Other Way Ministries, Women’s Resource Center, GROW, Girl Scouts, Family Futures and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. She has previously worked at the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Kent & Ottawa Conservation Districts.