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Councilmember Spitzley Launches Bid For Mayor In Lansing

Patricia Spitzley photo
Scott Pohl
/
WKAR/MSU
Lansing City Council member at-large Patricia Spitzley announced her campaign for mayor Wednesday in Wentworth Park.

Lansing City Councilmember Patricia Spitzley has formally announced her candidacy in this year’s mayoral election.

The at-large council member launched her campaign today from downtown Lansing.

Spitzley says some of her priorities include the economy and policing. “It’s a good time for someone who believes in fiscal responsibility," she says. "It’s a good time for...a person who is ready to transform our public safety.”

If elected, Spitzley would become Lansing’s first female mayor and the city’s first African-American mayor. “I am a black woman. I’m a proud African-American female. I’m a proud mother and a proud grandmother," Spitzley states, "but I’m also a proud Lansing resident. And so, I believe that I would be a great mayor.”

Along with Spitzley, current Lansing mayor Andy Schor, former mayor Virg Bernero, Farhan Sheikh-Omar, and Larry Hutchinson Jr. are running to be the city’s next leader.

The filing deadline to enter the race is April 20. There will be a primary election on August 3. The general election will be held November 2.

Scott Pohl has maintained an on-call schedule reporting for WKAR following his retirement after 36 years on the air at the station.
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