Lansing

Kelsea Hector is a nonprofit consultant, former K-12 educator, and lifelong community advocate running for mayor on a bold progressive vision for Lansing. She has spent her career supporting organizations that put people first, building programs and systems rooted in care, accountability, and equity.

Hector’s platform centers housing justice, sustainability, participatory democracy, and true community safety. She calls for a Lansing Tenants’ Bill of Rights, stronger tenant protections, expanded shelters, and transitional housing to ensure no one is without a safe home. She champions environmental justice through renewable energy, community gardens, food hubs, and urban agriculture so every family has access to healthy, affordable food.

Her vision for public safety invests in mental healthcare, community-led violence prevention, and protections for immigrant and undocumented neighbors. Hector also proposes Lansing’s first participatory budgeting program, giving residents as young as 12 a real say in city spending.

Kelsea Hector is the most progressive choice in this race.

Andy Schor is seeking a third term as Lansing’s mayor. A career politician, he has served as county commissioner, state representative, and now mayor. Schor highlights $2 billion in new development, a $175 million Public Safety and Courts campus, and Lansing’s ranking as an “affordable city.”

However, his record shows a focus on business growth and policing over equity and community-centered investment. While he has introduced limited racial justice initiatives, many residents feel these efforts lack depth and fail to deliver meaningful change. His emphasis on real estate development and downtown projects has not translated into greater affordability for working families, and his public safety strategy leans heavily on police expansion rather than prevention and alternatives.

Incumbent Lansing City Councilman Jeremy Garza, a lifelong Lansing resident and union plumber, is serving his second term on the council, including time as president. Known as a bridge-builder, he focuses on delivering results for working families, seniors, and children. Garza has prioritized public safety, securing funding for more officers, social workers, and life-saving equipment for firefighters, while also investing in infrastructure like street reconstruction, sidewalk repairs, and traffic calming in underserved areas.

Garza believes Lansing must get back to basics by investing in core services, roads, trash pickup, snow removal, parks, and neighborhood cleanups. Garza puts people before special interests, advocating for fair economic policies that require companies receiving tax incentives to hire local workers at good wages with benefits, strengthening Lansing’s economy for everyone.

Jeremy Garza is the most progressive candidate in this race.

Aurelius Christian, a lifelong Lansing resident and graduate of Lansing Eastern High School and Michigan State University, is a community leader with experience in economic development and neighborhood revitalization. The son of a Marine Corps Sergeant and a healthcare professional, he was raised with a strong commitment to service.

Christian has been recognized as one of the region’s “10 Over the Next 10” rising leaders and is a graduate of the Michigan Political Leadership Program. He currently serves on the Allen Neighborhood Center Board and the Capital Region Community Foundation’s Impact Grant Committee. Through his work with the Lansing Economic Development Corporation, he has championed small business growth and neighborhood investment.

His priorities include strengthening neighborhoods, ensuring access to quality housing, improving public safety, and creating broad-based economic prosperity for Lansing residents.

Clara Martinez, a Lansing public school teacher, union member, and community leader, is running for Lansing City Council At-Large. As Dance Director at Everett High School, she has dedicated her career to mentoring youth and strengthening neighborhoods. She also serves on Lansing’s Arts & Culture Commission and the board of All of the Above Hip Hop Academy, earning national recognition for her work in arts education and equity.

Her priorities include expanding affordable housing, improving city services like trash pickup, snow removal, and road repairs, and supporting community-driven public safety efforts. She also emphasizes creating opportunities for youth through childcare access, after-school programs, and job training. Clara believes in collaborative leadership and building a city where every resident has the chance to thrive.

Julie Vandenboom, a longtime Lansing resident, is running for City Council At-Large to create a more livable and inclusive community. She has lived in Lansing since childhood and raised her family here, with her son graduating from Lansing Eastern High School. With over 15 years of experience in state government, Vandenboom brings expertise in policy analysis, planning, and program evaluation. She currently serves on the Capital Area District Libraries board and is an active member of Lansing Rent is Too Damn High.

Her priorities include expanding affordable housing, protecting renters, and supporting unhoused residents with services instead of criminalization. She also advocates for walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, sustainable development, and stronger climate action policies. Vandenboom supports urban agriculture, farmers markets, and local food access to improve health and strengthen Lansing’s economy. She emphasizes community-driven solutions to ensure equity, sustainability, and opportunity for every Lansing resident.

Erik Almquist, a former Lansing City Council member, is running to represent the 2nd Ward. He emphasizes public service over politics, refusing campaign donations to remain independent of special interests. Almquist supports growing Lansing through new businesses, strong unions, and the arts as a way to attract visitors and showcase the city.

During his previous service on the Lansing City Council, he helped secure a $1 million water main project at no cost to residents and supported local businesses through COVID. He pledges to work collaboratively with city workers, support public safety, and provide hope and solutions for Lansing’s future.

Deyanira Nevarez Martinez, a Lansing resident, educator, and public servant, is running for city council to ensure Lansing works for everyone. She serves on the Lansing School District Board of Education, teaches at Michigan State University, and is active in community leadership. Her priorities include affordable housing, youth opportunity, and community safety. She believes housing is a human right and supports tenant protections, anti-displacement policies, and community-led affordable housing development.

She also advocates for investments in youth programs, safe public spaces, job training, and mentorship by strengthening partnerships with schools, colleges, and local businesses. Nevarez Martinez emphasizes people-centered safety through violence interruption programs, mental health crisis response teams, and community outreach. She pledges to put people before profit and deliver equity-focused investments in Lansing’s neighborhoods.

Deyanira Nevarez Martinez is the most progressive candidate in this race.

Heath Lowry, an Indigenous law attorney and policy specialist, is running for Lansing City Council in the 4th Ward. He has dedicated his career to advocating for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking while shaping policies that protect vulnerable communities.

In Lansing, he serves as President of the Westside Neighborhood Association, fostering collaboration and neighborhood pride, and as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals, where he works to ensure development aligns with community goals. He also previously served as an executive officer of the Ingham County Democratic Party, advocating for social justice, economic equality, and sustainability.

Lowry’s priorities include revitalizing Lansing’s economic corridors, supporting small businesses, and attracting investment to strengthen local jobs. He also emphasizes safe, walkable neighborhoods, improved city services, and accountable government. Committed to transparency and inclusivity, he pledges to ensure residents’ voices are heard and their concerns addressed while working to build a stronger, more equitable Lansing.

Incumbent Councilmember Peter Spadafore is running for the open 4th Ward seat after two terms serving as Lansing City Councilmember At-Large. A lifelong community advocate, he emphasizes strong, responsive neighborhood representation and problem-solving on a block-by-block level.

Spadafore’s priorities include improving public safety, supporting neighborhood development, fixing roads, and maintaining parks. He highlights the role of ward council members as liaisons between residents and city government, helping cut red tape and address everyday concerns. With a record of trusted leadership, Spadafore is seeking to continue serving Lansing residents by bringing a fresh perspective and focusing on the needs of the 4th Ward.