John Beck for Saint Joseph Township Trustee

Thank you for your support.

John’s message to supporters after the 2024 election.

doors knocked by John and his fellow candidates: 5,000+
of meaningful conversations across the township: Hundreds

While I came up short by 300 votes in this election, I couldn’t be more proud of being part of our Democratic slate’s campaign. Together with my fellow candidates, we knocked on over 5,000 doors and had meaningful conversations with hundreds of people throughout our township.

I’m deeply grateful for everyone who supported my journey, especially my incredible wife Paige, my son Hayden, and my aunts and uncles. To all the dedicated volunteers who walked door to door with us, your commitment to our community was truly inspiring. A special thank you to my friends and donors who believed in me and supported our slate’s vision.

I would also like to thank Joey Andrews, Amy Scrima, and the Berrien County Democratic Party for their support and guidance.

This campaign taught me so much about our township and the real challenges our neighbors face, from infrastructure needs and road improvements to housing concerns and economic development opportunities. These conversations have only strengthened my commitment to our community.

Though the election may be over, my dedication to bettering our township and uplifting all residents remains stronger than ever. This is just the beginning of my work to build a brighter future for our community.

Thank you all for being part of this journey.

Regards,John Beck, PhD

John talking with a resident at a front door — Knocking on doors across the township

John chatting with a neighbor who is fishing from a riverside railing — Talking with a neighbor at the riverfront

John talking with a resident walking a golden retriever in a park — Meeting residents in the park

Since the 2024 election

“This is just the beginning of my work to build a brighter future for our community.”
John Beck, after the 2024 election

Since then, John has taken on new roles with the Democratic Party at the precinct, county, district, and state levels, and he now leads candidate recruitment for the Berrien County Democratic Party.

John Beck and Dale Murney smiling together at a table at the 2026 Michigan Democratic Party State Endorsement Convention — John with Dale Murney, the Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 20th State Senate District, at the Michigan Democratic Party’s 2026 State Endorsement Convention.

2024
Trustee, 4th Congressional District Democratic Party
Elected
2024
Alternate delegate, Michigan Democratic Party State Central Committee
Elected
2026
Chair of candidate recruitment, Berrien County Democratic Party
Appointed
2026
Democratic precinct delegate
Elected

In 2025, John also completed the Michigan Community College Association Leadership Academy, a nine-month program for emerging leaders at Michigan’s community colleges.

A plan for our township

John’s platform rests on two commitments. The first is investing in the places we all share. The second is a township government that is open with the people it serves.

John walking a gravel trail with a fellow candidate on a summer day

“Multimodal trails connecting our parks will enable healthy lifestyles, increase safety for our children, and build community.”
John Beck

Sustainable infrastructure and development

Invest in sustainable infrastructure and development that improve the quality of life for all residents.

Sidewalks and trails
Connect the neighborhoods in our community through sidewalks and multimodal trails.
Green space
Prioritize the development of green spaces that provide recreational opportunities, improve air quality, and promote biodiversity.
New housing that fits
Work with the planning commission to revise zoning ordinances to promote new housing solutions while maintaining a similar feel to existing neighborhoods.

Residents gathered around a table of campaign literature at a community event

“Taxpayers deserve to see how their money is spent.”
John Beck

Transparency and accountability

Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and open communication between the township government and its citizens.

A township website that works
Maintain a comprehensive, user-friendly township website that provides easy access to key information such as budgets, spending, meeting minutes, official documents, ongoing projects, and contact information for officials.
Timely updates
Leverage social media to inform residents quickly and efficiently.
Meetings you can attend
Ensure township meetings are well publicized and accessible.
An open door
Maintain an open-door policy, communicate regularly with constituents, and value their input.

Portrait of John Beck in a tan corduroy jacket in front of a wall of cut log rounds

Meet John

John Beck is a chemist, an educator, and a neighbor in St. Joseph Charter Township. Through his work, he strives to boost scientific literacy and open doors to economic mobility.

Education: PhD in chemistry, University of Toledo. B.S. in chemistry, Western Michigan University.
Work: Department chair and chemistry faculty at Lake Michigan College, where he founded the sustainability committee. Graduate of the Michigan Community College Association Leadership Academy.
Community: Chair of candidate recruitment for the Berrien County Democratic Party and a Democratic precinct delegate. Former board member, Brookview Montessori School.
Home: St. Joseph Charter Township, with his wife Paige.

Early life

John Beck was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Ann and Dallas Beck. Dallas, a Marine Corps veteran, worked at one of the many paper mills in Kalamazoo, while Ann worked in retail and food service. When John was three years old, his father, an avid runner and cyclist, passed away due to an undiagnosed heart condition.

Ann and John eventually settled in Kalamazoo Township. As John started elementary school, his mother decided to continue her education. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Michigan University. She worked as a tutor for the SLD Learning Center in the Kalamazoo area for several years. John attended Parchment High School and graduated in 2001. During his junior year, his mother passed away, and John was cared for by his extended family, including his grandparents, aunts, and uncles, during his senior year.

College and early career

John teaching a chemistry demonstration in front of a classroom — John in the classroom

After graduating from Parchment High School, John attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Western Michigan University. In 2006, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Western. During his time at Western, John participated in several student organizations, including student government, and worked with several faculty members on research projects. While a student, he lived with his maternal grandmother and helped the family take care of her as she aged.

Following the completion of his bachelor’s degree, John pursued graduate studies at the University of Toledo, studying organometallic chemistry and receiving a PhD in chemistry in 2011. He then worked at the University of Toledo as a postdoctoral research associate in the School of Green Chemistry and Engineering. During his time in graduate school, John realized his passion for education and decided to pursue a career in higher education, following in the footsteps of his many family members, who were teachers and educators. In 2013, John was hired at Lake Michigan College as a chemistry lecturer, primarily teaching at the Niles campus.

Life since 2015

In 2015, John became a full-time instructor in the Department of Natural Sciences at Lake Michigan College. The following year, he married his wife Paige, and they settled in St. Joseph Charter Township, where they raised Paige’s son. In addition to their son, Paige and John are pet parents to a golden retriever (Aurum) and two cats (Myrtal and Athene).

From 2017 to 2020, John served on the board of directors of Brookview Montessori School, where he sat on the facilities and wishing tree auction committees and chaired the nominations committee. In 2019, he became the chair of the Natural Sciences Department at Lake Michigan College. During his time at the college, John has taught a wide range of classes and served on numerous committees and task forces, including founding and chairing the sustainability committee. In 2023, John decided to run for public office in St. Joseph Charter Township to give back to his community.

John and his wife Paige smiling together outdoors in front of autumn trees — John and Paige

Aurum, the family’s golden retriever, swimming toward shore in a river at sunset — Aurum is Latin for gold, element 79, and a fitting name for a chemist’s golden retriever. Myrtal and Athene, the cats, round out the household.

Along the way

2001Graduates from Parchment High School
2006B.S. in chemistry, Western Michigan University
2011PhD in chemistry, University of Toledo, then postdoctoral research in green chemistry
2013Joins Lake Michigan College as a chemistry lecturer on the Niles campus
2015Full-time instructor, Department of Natural Sciences
2016Marries Paige and settles in St. Joseph Charter Township
2017–2020Board of directors, Brookview Montessori School
2019Becomes chair of the Natural Sciences Department
2023Decides to run for township trustee
2024Elected trustee of Michigan’s 4th Congressional District Democratic Party
2024Elected as an alternate delegate to the Michigan Democratic Party State Central Committee
2025Completes the Michigan Community College Association Leadership Academy
2026Appointed chair of candidate recruitment for the Berrien County Democratic Party
2026Elected as a Democratic precinct delegate
2026Joins Ad Solutio Partners as an associate focused on developing faculty leaders