05-02-2025
Andy Schor will run for third term as Lansing mayor
LANSING — Mayor Andy Schor is seeking a third term.
The 49-year-old mayor of Michigan's capital city, the sixth-largest in the state by population, made the announcement Tuesday evening at Gregory's Soul Food in north Lansing, surrounded by friends, family and supporters.
No one else has entered their name in the mayoral race, according to the city's online records. Contenders have until April 22 to turn their paperwork into the city. If there are enough candidates, a primary will be held Aug. 5.
Whoever wins the mayor's race could have new council members to work with. Several seats are on the ballot this fall.
Schor made his announcement standing beside restaurant owner Gregory Eaton, one of four living people to have attended all of the Super Bowls, Schor said he still sees more to do after seven years in office.
'We have continued to grow Lansing, it is one of the most affordable cities in the nation,' Schor said. He pointed to reduced crime rates, billions of dollars in investments and more housing as some of his administration's accomplishments.
Schor won election in 2017 and again in 2021, when he won against longtime council member Kathie Dunbar in a landslide. He was previously an Ingham County commissioner and state representative.
Schor has led the city while several large development projects have been announced or completed, including the city's Ovation entertainment center and public safety complex, both under construction, and a private five-building development proposal called New Vision Lansing that is expected to include the city's first new skyscraper in generations.
He's faced some challenges as well. A push by his administration to move city hall into the historic Masonic Temple building was rejected by city council and the plan is now to build a new city hall off Grand Avenue and sell the current city hall and its state Capitol views to a hotel developer.
The city of Lansing has been stable in population since Schor's first term, in 2017, when the city had 111,269 people, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. In 2023 figures, the city had added 846 people, less than a 1% growth. Schor also led the city during the pandemic.
Schor's predecessor, Virg Bernero, was mayor for 12 years and did not run in 2017. He ran in 2021 but withdrew prior to the primary.
More: 2021 Election: Andy Schor wins second term as Lansing mayor; full city council results
Lansing mayors may have an incumbency advantage: The city has had only seven mayors since 1969, when "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies was the most popular song. Neighboring East Lansing has had eight mayors since 2015.
If Schor win reelection and fulfills his full four-year term, he would join former mayors Gerald Graves (1969-1981) and Bernero (2006-18) as mayor who have served 12 years.
Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@ or 517-267-0415
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Andy Schor will run for third term as Lansing mayor
