Here's who's running for Lansing City Council in a crowded field
LANSING — It may be a very busy campaign season this summer, with yard signs, mailers and other campaign activities deluging Lansing residents.
In addition to five candidates running for mayor, 15 people are seeking seats on Lansing's eight-member City Council.
Ten people are competing for two at-large seats on City Council in a packed race that could help shape the city for years to come.
Two of the city's four ward seats also are up for election, meaning half of the city's eight council seats could change.
It could be a significant change: No incumbents will take their own seat next year, however, two sitting council members could be re-elected to different seats.
Peter Spadafore, an at-large City Council member, is running for a Ward 4 seat being vacated by Jeffrey Brown, who is running for mayor. Jeremy Garza, the Ward 2 council member, is running for an at-large seat.
The at-large races and the Ward 4 race have enough candidates for an August primary election, the top four vote-getters in the at-large race will advance to November's election and the top two of the three candidates in Ward 4 will as well.
Wards 2 and 4 are the southeast and northwest quadrants of the city.
Voters will be able to begin voting in late June.
There are 10 candidates in total for the two slots. They include:
Nick Pigeon – A former executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network and a musician, Pigeon said he is running for a more transparent and accountable government. He wants to pursue affordable housing, reduce exclusionary zoning and invest in public transit and infrastructure.
Olivia Vaden – President of the Southwest Action Group, a local neighborhood organization, Vaden is a queer Black woman who wants to fight for 'policies that create opportunity, promote justice, and ensure that everyone in our community is heard and valued.' Their priorities include housing, lifelong learning, transportation and the arts.
Jonah Stone – He is a forensic scientist for the Michigan State Police. He did not immediately respond to a phone message from the State Journal.
Jeremy Garza - A plumber and union official, Garza is a sitting City Council member looking to move from his Ward 2 seat to an at-large seat. He plans to focus on bread-and-butter priorities, putting regular people before special interests, and building a fair economy that works for everyone.
Tirstan Walters – Walters is a projects coordinator with the Michigan State Police and a member of the Lansing Parks Board. He wants to help build strong neighborhoods, improve housing options and support small businesses.
Julie Vandenboom – Vandenboom is a state government worker who has worked on policy analysis and planning and is a member of the Capital Area District Library board. She believes in community-driven changes and wants to work for better housing, more pedestrian-friendly efforts, sustainability and boosting local food production.
Clara Martinez – Martinez is a dance director at Everett High School and is her building's union representative. Her website says people-first policies – from trash pickup, safe streets and better infrastructure – are important and she plans to work on affordable housing and making sure every resident feels safe, valued and supported.
Miles Biel – Biel is a Consumers Energy waste specialist who wants to see improvements in housing and affordability and sees potential reforms to the Lansing Board of Water & Light.
Aurelius Christian - Christian is a development program coordinator with the Lansing Economic Development Corporation and a former member of the Ingham County Health Centers board.
Robin Jones - Jones filed Tuesday and did not immediately return a phone call from the State Journal.
Gloria Denning - Denning retired from a career of doing constituent services in the Michigan and U.S. Senates. She said she looks at things broadly to get the scope and in depth to find the solutions. She said she is a person of integrity, family and faith.
Heath Lowry - Lowry is an indigenous law attorney and policy specialist. He wants to focus on responsive local government, revitalizing economic corridors and having safe communities.
Peter Spadafore - Spadafore is a sitting at-large council member who is running for a ward seat. He aims to work with constituents, cut red tape and work block by block on issues like public safety, development, roads and parks.
Zacharie Spurlock - Spurlock, a bartender at American Fifth, said he will focus on local and neighborhood issues that are often ignored and he would work on constituent services.
Deyanira Nevarez Martinez, a Lansing School District board member, and Erik Almquist are running for the Ward 2 seat, which is being vacated by Garza, who is seeking an at-large seat.
Martinez and Almquist will advance to the November general election barring a successful write-in campaign by another candidate.
Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 15 file to run for Lansing City Council
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