First, we’d like to thank The Hillsdalian for their continued coverage of Hillsdale’s local elections. In a time when most media outlets sit quietly on the sidelines or blindly echo establishment narratives, The Hillsdalian has chosen to engage. Whether we agree on every detail or not, they’re part of the fight to keep our community informed—and that matters.
Now, on to the final candidate in their mayoral series: Councilman Matthew Bentley. Let’s make this simple.
Bentley isn’t just another name on a ballot. He’s not a placeholder. He’s not a career climber. He’s a fighter—and the only candidate in this race with a proven track record of challenging Hillsdale’s entrenched bureaucracy, advocating for transparency, and defending the people’s voice where it matters most: at City Hall and beyond.
A Voice for the People, Not the Staff
In a political climate where most city council members bend the knee to administrative staff and managers, Bentley chose the harder path: accountability. He has consistently stood as a check on unelected bureaucrats who believe their job is to run the city—not serve it.
While others see the role of mayor as a ceremonial nod to civility, Bentley understands what the Founders intended: that government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed. His opponents, by contrast, seem content with letting the city manager hold the reins. Bentley rejects that entirely—and so do we.
Representing Hillsdale to the County—Not the Other Way Around
Perhaps the most underappreciated aspect of Bentley’s leadership is his willingness to cross jurisdictional lines—not for control, but for advocacy. When the Hillsdale County government attempted to saddle residents with unnecessary debt via the LifeWays bond, Bentley didn’t stay silent. He showed up. He spoke out. He helped build a coalition that challenged an opaque process and stood up for fiscal sanity. That’s more than most mayors in this state can say.
It’s rare—almost unheard of—for a sitting city council member to actively challenge county-level power. Bentley didn’t just talk about accountability—he lived it. That alone makes him stand apart from the field.
Realism and Reform on Infrastructure
On issues like special assessments and infrastructure, Bentley brings a refreshing dose of realism. He doesn’t pander with false promises to “eliminate” SADs (Special Assessment Districts), but instead speaks to what can actually be done—reform, negotiation, and flexibility based on neighborhood needs. That’s the kind of leadership Hillsdale needs: principle-driven, not performative.
Crime, Vagrancy, and the Limits of Government
Bentley also understands the balance between compassion and responsibility. He respects the work of organizations like Share the Warmth, and he supports law enforcement without turning our police into political pawns. He doesn’t call for more bureaucracy or emotion-driven policy—he calls for focus: fix what we can fix, and do it well.
He rightly identifies the lack of county jail capacity as a major bottleneck in dealing with crime—a problem beyond city limits, yet one that affects every Hillsdale resident. Once again, Bentley connects the dots and speaks to root causes, not just symptoms.
In Conclusion: Hillsdale Needs a Mayor, Not a Mascot
Bentley gets it. He’s not here to keep the peace at council meetings or smooth over tension for appearances. He’s here to represent you. He listens. He fights when it’s right. He shows up when it matters. And most importantly—he doesn’t confuse good governance with good optics.
If Hillsdale is ready to break free from managerial government and reassert the authority of We the People, then Matthew Bentley is the right man for the job.
And that, fellow conservatives, is the kind of leadership worth voting for.
The Hillsdale Conservatives.
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