© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bernero Departs Lansing's Race For Mayor; Dunbar Launches Bid

Kathie Dunbar photo
Courtesy photo
/
Kathie Dunbar
While former Lansing mayor Virg Bernero has ended his campaign to get his old job back, city council member Kathie Dunbar is getting in the race.

The race for Lansing’s mayor took a couple of twists on Sunday. Former mayor Virg Bernero has ended his bid to return to city hall.

In a Facebook post, Bernero said that when he entered the race, he had hoped to be a “catalyst for necessary change,” and had been forgiven by his wife Teri for his past mistakes, but added that “politics is less forgiving.”

Bernero’s withdrawal from the race came minutes after city council member at-large Kathie Dunbar announced that rather than run for another term on the council, she will instead run for mayor.

Mayor Andy Schor is running for a second term, and another council member at-large, Patricia Spitzley, entered the crowded field last week. Larry Hutchinson Jr. and Farhan Sheikh-Omar are also running to lead the city.

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.
Related Content
Together we’ve already reduced WKAR’s $1.6 million budget gap created by the loss of federal funding. With your sustaining support we can close the remaining $500,000 gap and keep trusted public media strong for mid-Michigan. The best way to support WKAR is to become a sustainer. Already a sustainer? Please consider upgrading your current monthly gift.