Lansing City Council primary: Where the candidates stand
LANSING — More than a dozen candidates are seeking election to the City Council during the Aug. 8 primary, which will pare the field to eight who will appear on November’s general election ballot for Lansing City Council.
Seven candidates are running for two at-large seats, with the top four vote-getters advancing to November. Three candidates are vying for one seat in the First Ward, including incumbent Ryan Kost, with two advancing to the general election.
Only two candidates, including incumbent Adam Hussain, are running in the Third Ward primary, meaning both will move on to the November election and face off for the seat.
One candidate, Olivia Vaden, has unofficially withdrawn from election, but will still appear on the ballot.
The State Journal also conducted background checks on each candidate, finding both civil and criminal records for several candidates.
Voters can cast their ballots from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at their polling place on election day or early at one of two locations.
More information on the election in Lansing can be found here. Voters throughout Michigan can check their registration and polling place here.
Candidates are listed here by filing date in each race.
Why are you running for Lansing City Council?
Council Member At-Large
Nicklas Zande: No response by time of publication.
Jody Washington: “I'm running for city council because unfortunately, many people don't understand the seriousness of the position,” Washington said.
She said the council’s actions often boil down to “nothing more than a popularity contest.”
“I decided to run because we are losing to incumbents that are taking years of experience and knowledge,” she said. Washington, 66, served on the council from 2012-19 in the First Ward, but lost the 2019 primary to Brandon Betz, a newcomer who later resigned after facing a recall over profane texts he sent to a local activist.
“I know the duties of council, I know how to handle the budget, I know how to do ordinances and how to review development plans and listen to the zoning — I thought it was really critically important that somebody with some experience runs and hopefully gets on council,” she said. “Because if not, 50% of our council will have just barely two years to no experience whatsoever. And at this point, I think that's kind of a problem.”
Washington is a lifelong Lansing resident. She is currently chairperson of the Endeavor House recovery group, on the executive board for the Ingham Community Health Centers and on the Lansing Human Resources and Community Services Board. Washington said she also works daily with Lansing’s homeless population.
Keshawn Mitchell-Roland: No response by time of publication.
Farhan Sheikh-Omar: “I am running for Lansing City Council at-large to bring openness, inclusiveness, and accountability, where decision-making processes are transparent, participatory, and responsive to the needs of all residents,” Sheikh-Omar said. “I have the compassion, knowledge, and communication skills to help move our community forward. I believe these are needed assets for a councilmember."
Sheikh-Omar, 28, is an instructor at the Pattengill Biotechnical Magnet School. He and his family came to Lansing from Kenya as refugees 18 years ago.
“Serving as a city councilmember at-large will be a down payment on the debt of gratitude I owe my city,” he said.
Tamera Carter: “I am truly passionate about the city of Lansing and its residents,” Carter said in an email. “My commitment to the community is unwavering, and I am dedicated to making a positive impact in any way I can.”
Carter has been a Lansing resident for nearly two decades following her 2005 graduation from Michigan State University. She holds a master’s degree in organization leadership and touted her experience with financial oversight, management and community engagement.
Carter, 40, currently serves on the Impression 5 Science Center Board of Directors and is involved with the Greater Lansing Food Bank, Lansing City Rescue Mission, Downtown Lansing Inc., LMTS Community Outreach and is a board member of Tabernacle of David church.
Missy Lilje: “I love the city of Lansing. It's my favorite city,” Lilje said. “I love the people. I love the history and I would like to express that love by serving.”
Lilje, 47, has lived in Lansing for 17 years. She has served on the Lansing School Board since 2017 and has been working with special education in the Ingham Intermediate School District.
Lilje is also CEO of the nonprofit Happendance, which brings arts education and dance education into local public schools.
Trini Lopez Pehlivanoglu: “At the heart of my decision to seek office is my love for Lansing," Lopez Pehlivanoglu said in an email. “I am fully invested in this community and I believe that with my background and skill set I have the ability to serve residents in the way they deserve.”
Lopez Pehlivanoglu’s interest in running run was spurred by redevelopment efforts she’s seen in southwest Lansing. Community action and input around those projects helped her see the benefits of involvement in one’s community, she said.
“I am proud to have been raised and continue to live in this part of the city, and I have witnessed the economic downturn over the years,” she said. "I am excited for the opportunity to create positive change in neighborhoods and corridors throughout the city.”
Lopez Pehlivanoglu, 43, said she believes safety is a top priority for the city. She said she would work to reduce crime by helping the city’s homeless population, bringing substandard housing up to code, working with youth and school, supporting first responders and increasing recreation offerings for residents of all ages.
First Ward
Ryan Kost (incumbent): “I am running for re-election because we need someone who is fighting for the people,” Kost said in a message. “I have been fighting for the people in Ward 1 long before I was elected to the council being heavily involved in the community. I can't be bought and I won't play games.”
Kost, 35, said his everyday involvement in his community and work since winning a special election in 2022 make him qualified to retain his seat.
“I am in the community and I believe we need city council members who are willing to sweat along with the community to make it better,” he said. “I am, and will be, hands-on and I also believe in leading as equals with the people who elected me not leading in front.”
Kost, an employee at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, has lived in lansing for most of his childhood and adult life. He lives on the east side of Lansing and is married with three dogs.
Michael VandeGuchte: VandeGuchte, 29, said his desire to run for council began after the MSU mass shooting when his family encouraged him to “be the change in the world you want to see.” VandeGuchte said he’d heard those words plenty before, but they felt different this time.
“I felt like I had a lot to offer the city,” he said. “I feel like I can I think I can do better than who's the current incumbent is right now.”
VandeGuchte graduated from MSU with a major in fisheries and wildlife. He previously worked as a Sparrow Hospital security officer and is now a manager at a Lansing Meijer.
DeMarco Taft (D. Taft on the ballot): "I’m running for city council because the FBI listed Lansing the 17th most violent city in America,” Taft, 48, said in a message. “I plan to change that with citywide surveillance and a robust fleet of rapid response drones to monitor the city.”
Taft, a reverend with Heaven on Earth ministries, graduated Columbia College Chicago with a major in entertainment management. He is the founder of MitTown Made, a Michigan lifestyle brand.
Third Ward
King Robertson: No response by time of publication.
Adam Hussain (incumbent): “We have spent the past seven years advocating for and working fiercely toward the advancement of southwest Lansing,” Hussain said in an email. ”We have grown neighborhood and business associations and ensured their interconnectedness.”
Hussain said he and his community have worked to connect area nonprofits, businesses, residents and municipal leaders to “effectuate real and sustainable growth,” as well as public works projects such as infrastructure improvements and park constructions.
Hussain, 41, said he was also proud of the council’s work on enhancing community policing, supporting corridor improvement and cracking down on “slum landlords.”
What’s one thing you would change in the city?
Council Member At-Large
Nicklas Zande: No response by time of publication.
Jody Washington: Washington, 66, said she’d improve infrastructure in Lansing’s neighborhoods.
“We do an awful lot of talking about inclusion and equity — but we have senior citizens, we have people with disabilities, we have people that use mobility devices, that can't even traverse their own neighborhoods because of the conditions of our sidewalks and our roads,” she said.
“I think that it has been kicked down the road for so many years, that it's time we make take a serious effort to start getting some of this done and start advocating for more money,” she added.
Keshawn Mitchell-Roland: No response by time of publication.
Farhan Sheikh-Omar: Sheikh-Omar, 28, said affordability of housing and safety were his main priorities.
“I believe a city where everybody has a safe and affordable home is a city that’s safer and more prosperous for everybody,” he said. “I will work hard for homeownership and housing stability to be for everyone, not just the wealthy or lucky.”
Tamera Carter: Carter, 40, listed several topics central to her campaign, including economic development, providing stable housing and addressing gun violence by increasing quality of life and strong relationships between law enforcement and residents.
Carter also said that she would prioritize “equity and inclusion that ensures everyone in Lansing has equal opportunities and access to resources, to have a voice in city related matters.”
Missy Lilje: Lilje, 47, said she’d like to see increased social safety nets, more recreation options for kids after school days and increased affordable housing units.
Lilje said it will be a challenge to find the money for each program, so an analysis to determine the groups most in need will be necessary.
Trini Lopez Pehlivanoglu: Lopez Pehlivanoglu, 43, said she would increase transparency in the government.
“By working transparently through issues, engaging with residents outside of the normal public comment structure, and listening to their concerns we can create more of a dialogue rather than one-way communication,” she said. “This also includes bringing up staff numbers and filling the vacant positions the city currently has to address the most immediate needs of our residents. From first responders to code enforcement, we need to fully serve our residents.”
First Ward
Ryan Kost: Kost, 35, said that housing and property management in the city could be improved.
“What I would like to see changed in Lansing is how we are managing the safety of houses, specifically the condition of our rental stock,” he said. “We have a high level of slumlords that have cheated the system for year's and we are now working on addressing that issue and I will continue to do this work moving forward. Everyone deserves a clean, safe, and decent place to live.”
Michael VandeGuchte: VandeGuchte, 29, said his first priority will be expanding community policing and strengthening mental health programs.
“When was the last time you saw an officer really walking the beat walking through a park?,” he asked. “I think Lansing police have kind of this habit of focusing on the top 10% of crime — and I'm not saying that that's not important, it absolutely is. But we're ignoring small things to get big things done.”
D. Taft: Taft, 48, said he would change the way some properties were sold.
“I will change the current auction system. Properties will no longer be sold at the auction with violations for more than what was owed in unpaid taxes and fees. This will deter the habitual keeping of surplus,” he said.
Third Ward:
King Robertson: No response by time of publication.
Adam Hussain: Hussain, 41, listed various infrastructure and development projects as his top priorities.
“We must continue to ensure that our infrastructure is addressed, commercial corridors and commercial districts are supported, neighborhoods throughout the ward connected, scaffolded, and revitalized, and public safety and public services are prioritized,” he said.
Hussain cited the ongoing redevelopment of Logan Square, the demolition of the old Pleasant Grove School and the Community Investment Trust effort along south Waverly Road.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing City Council primary election set for Aug. 8
