2009 Lansing mayoral election

2009 Lansing mayoral election

←  2005 August 4, 2009 (2009-08-04) (first round) November 3, 2009 (2009-11-03) (Runoff) 2013  →

Candidate Virgil Bernero Carol Wood Charles Ford First round 4,177 43.79% 3,585 37.58% 1,474 15.45% Runoff 9,990 62.24% 5,980 37.25% Eliminated

Mayor before election Virgil Bernero Nonpartisan Elected mayor Virgil Bernero Nonpartisan

The 2009 Lansing mayoral election took place on November 3, 2009, with a primary election taking place on August 4, 2009. Incumbent Mayor Virgil Bernero ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged by City Councilwoman Carol Wood and Charles Ford, a member of the Lansing Board of Education. Bernero placed first over Wood in the primary election, 44–38 percent, and then defeated Wood by a wide margin in the general election, winning 62–37 percent.

Primary election

Candidates

• Virgil Bernero, incumbent Mayor
• Carol Wood, City Councilwoman ^[1]
• Charles Ford, member of the Lansing Board of Education, former City Councilman ^[2]
• Benjamin Hassenger, cook ^[3]

Results

2009 Lansing mayoral primary election results ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Virgil Bernero (inc.)	4,177	43.79%
	Nonpartisan	Carol Wood	3,585	37.58%
	Nonpartisan	Charles Ford	1,474	15.45%
	Nonpartisan	Benjamin Hassenger	271	2.84%
	Write-in		32	0.34%
Total votes			9,539	100.00%

General election

Results

2009 Lansing mayoral general election results ^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Virgil Bernero (inc.)	9,990	62.24%
	Nonpartisan	Carol Wood	5,980	37.25%
Total votes			16,052	100.00%

References

1. "Wood officially joins race for Lansing mayor". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. February 19, 2009. p. 1B. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
2. "Ford to announce run for Lansing mayor at rally". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. February 10, 2009. p. 1B. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
3. Vela, Susan (July 26, 2009). "Mayoral hopefuls back area alliances". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. p. 1A. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
4. "Ingham County: LansingCity_Aug42009_E". Ingham County Clerk. April 20, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
5. "Ingham County: InghamCounty_110309_E". Ingham County Clerk. April 20, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2025.