Karen Dunigan and her campaign staff discussed victory over lunch in Jackson. She says, "I think it's 68% that I won by, I'm surprised. I thought it would be much closer."

She says her first vision as mayor will involve making up for big drops in revenue from state funding and declining tax revenues. She says, "
First of all, we have to get our house in order, we've got fiscal and financial problems so we have to do that."

To fix the finances, Dunigan wants to streamline services with the county government, townships and villages into one building to save money. Dunigan says, "If you had to pay your sewer bill and your township bill and your taxes, If you could go in the one door, and that door would open to a reception area and you could pay your taxes for wherever you lived in the county, you could take and pay your water bill and sewer bill for wherever you lived in the county, so you know, it's all centered."

To turn around unemployment numbers which are some of the highest in the state, Dunigan is hoping to build on successful businesses.
She says, "We have a phenomenal medical facility here, the Allegiance health center and they're always increasing their services to the community and they have worked closely with our three institutes of higher education in the community already to get programs in there for nursing, X-ray technicians and so if we can build upon that and more of those classes, and we've got consumer's power going green, so we've got the environmental issues there with that. There's a lot of potential here."

Residents say they hope the change at city hall means change for the city. Luke Smith says, "Ludwig had more experience and Karen doesn't have as much political experience...I think the city is just ready for a change." Steven Rumsey says, "I was happy to see there was a good amount of voters that turned out and I was just glad to see some changes are being made in city government."

Ken Gaiser, 4th Ward City Council, says "I'd like to see us find a lot of jobs. I'd like to see industry move here." He says, "I think the citizens in the city of Jackson are looking for some change. I think that there was a promise of change. I think Karen has a vision for the city and I think people are looking for someone with a vision and Karen has that."