2021 Lansing mayoral election

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2021 Lansing mayoral election
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November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)		 2025  →
  Andy Schor (44597376031).jpg 3x4.svg 3x4.svg
Candidate Andy Schor Kathie DunbarPatricia Spitzley
Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Nonpartisan
First round6,191
48.91%		2,561
20.23%		2,067
16.33%
Runoff 11,328
64.28%		6,290
35.69%		Eliminated
Mayor before election

Andy Schor
Nonpartisan

Elected mayor

Andy Schor
Nonpartisan

The 2021 Lansing mayoral election was held on November 2, 2021, following a primary election on August 3, 2021. Incumbent Mayor Andy Schor ran for re-election to a second term. Schor originally faced a challenge from former Mayor Virgil Bernero, but following allegations of sexual harassment against Bernero, he dropped out of the race. [1] Instead, Schor was challenged by two members of the City Council: Kathie Dunbar and Patricia Spitzley. Schor placed first in the primary election with 49 percent of the vote and advanced to the general election against Dunbar, who received 20 percent. Schor ended up defeating Dunbar by a wide margin, winning re-election 64–36 percent.

Contents

Primary election

Candidates

Dropped out

Campaign

Schor announced that he would seek a second term, arguing that he had helped deliver "inclusive growth" for the city. [2] Schor was originally set to face former Mayor Virgil Bernero, who served from 2006 to 2018. Bernero announced that he would challenge Schor on January 31, 2021, saying that the city needed "bold, decisive leadership." [7] However, just before MLive was scheduled to publish a story containing allegations of sexual harassment against Bernero, [1] he dropped out of the race. [8]

Following Bernero's withdrawal from the race, two city council members, Kathie Dunbar and Patricia Spitzley, emerged as Schor's most serious challengers. Shortly after she announced her candidacy, Dunbar faced allegations from a former friend that she had "made racist comments and multiple unwanted sexual advances toward her." Dunbar denied making sexual advances, but acknowledged that "15 years ago I said and did things I wouldn't say today," and apologized. [9] During the campaign, Dunbar was involved in a serious car crash with another driver for which she was determined to be at fault, with officers determining that Dunbar "disregard[ed] traffic control" by running a red light. After the crash, Dunbar blacked out during a virtual candidate forum, which she attributed to the crash. [10]

The mayoral election took place in the aftermath of the George Floyd protests during the summer of 2020, in which the Lansing Police Department controversially deployed tear gas at a protest after property damage occurred. [11] Prior to the start of the campaign, Black Lives Matter of Lansing urged Black leaders in the community to oppose Schor and to "acknowledge the harm perpetrated by Andy Schor and his administration." Dunbar, activist Farhan Sheikh-Omar, and community psychologist Melissa Huber called for a reduction in the Lansing Police Department's budget, while Schor and Spitzley supported reform. [12]

Ultimately, Schor placed first in the primary, winning 49 percent of the vote, with Dunbar outpacing Spitzley for second place, 20–16%.

Results

2021 Lansing mayoral primary election [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Andy Schor (inc.) 6,191 48.91%
Nonpartisan Kathie Dunbar 2,561 20.23%
Nonpartisan Patricia Spitzley2,06716.33%
Nonpartisan Farhan Sheikh-Omar1,0748.49%
Nonpartisan Melissa Huber5374.24%
Nonpartisan Larry James Hutchinson Jr.2111.67%
Write-in 160.13%
Total votes12,657 100.00%

General election

Campaign

In the general election, Schor was seen as the frontrunner, raising and spending ten times more than Dunbar and enjoying wider name recognition. [14] Schor emphasized his experience and leadership skills, while Dunbar noted that she "ha[s] the municipal government experience" and "this incredible grassroots connection to the community." [15] Ultimately, Schor defeated Dunbar in a landslide, winning re-election with 64 percent of the vote.

Results

2021 Lansing mayoral general election results [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Andy Schor (inc.) 11,328 64.28%
Nonpartisan Kathie Dunbar6,29035.69%
Write-in 40.02%
Total votes17,622 100.00%

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lawler, Emily (April 19, 2021). "Ex-mayor's sexual harassment 'really did ruin my life.' Virg Bernero ends election bid as women speak up". MLive . Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Lehr, Sarah (March 4, 2021). "Schor to run again for mayor of Lansing". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. p. 1A. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Lehr, Sarah (April 21, 2024). "Fields for Lansing mayor, City Council get crowded". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. p. 4A. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  4. ↑ Nurse, Krystal (July 16, 2021). "City to make oversight board permanent". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. p. 3A. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Get to know the candidates for Lansing mayor". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. June 27, 2021. p. 9A. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  6. ↑ Heywood, Todd (May 26, 2021). "Lansing mayoral candidate disputes police reports after drinking arrest". Lansing City Pulse. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  7. ↑ Lyons, Craig (February 2, 2021). "Bernero to run for Lansing mayor". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. p. 1A. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  8. ↑ Lehr, Sarah (April 20, 2021). "Bernero accuser glad she spoke out". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. p. 1A. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  9. ↑ Lehr, Sarah (April 22, 2021). "Mayoral candidate Dunbar accused of inappropriate comments". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. p. 1A. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  10. ↑ Kaminski, Kyle (June 11, 2021). "Update: No ticket for Dunbar after causing car crash". Lansing City Pulse. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  11. ↑ Kaminski, Kyle (June 4, 2020). "Lansing mayor rejects call from Black Lives Matter to resign". Lansing City Pulse. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  12. ↑ Kaminski, Kyle (June 25, 2021). "Nine takeaways from the Lansing mayoral debate". Lansing City Pulse. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  13. ↑ "OFFICIAL Election Summary Results - August 3, 2021 - Ingham County, Michigan" (PDF). August 11, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  14. ↑ Wallace, Larry (October 21, 2021). "Kathie Dunbar remains optimistic in Lansing's mayoral race despite financial disadvantage". WSYM-TV . Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  15. ↑ Durnbaugh, Elena (October 3, 2021). "Schor vs. Dunbar: 2 government vets with contrasting approaches". Lansing State Journal . Lansing, Michigan. p. 9A. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  16. ↑ "OFFICIAL Election Summary Results - November 2, 2021 - Ingham County, Michigan" (PDF). November 4, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
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