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Lansing City Council 4th Ward

The eight-member Lansing City Council is the legislative and policy-making body for city government. Elections are held in odd-numbered years and four members are elected at-large and four represent wards. They serve staggered four-year terms. The Lansing City Council sets policies, approves budgets, determines tax rates and adopts ordinances and resolutions to govern the city. The council also confirms citizen volunteers to a number of boards and advisory posts.Non PartisanTerm: 4 YearsCandidates: Choose 1

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  • Candidate picture

    Heath Lowry
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Peter Spadafore
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Zacharie Spurlock
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Please describe your qualifications and experience and why you are running for office.

Are there pressing issue(s) facing the office that you want to discuss? If so, how do you suggest addressing the issue(s)?

Describe your engagement with the City of Lansing. Please be specific about any volunteer activities, public service on committees/commissions and/or attendance at Council meetings.

What is the role of citizens in the decision-making process?

Campaign Web Site http://www.LowryForLansing.com
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554439073500
Education JD- Michigan State University College of Law; B.S. Discrete Mathematics University of West Georgia
Campaign Phone 6786339430
I am an attorney, community advocate, and neighborhood leader running for Lansing City Council’s 4th Ward. My work in law and policy has focused on protecting vulnerable communities and creating systemic change. As President of the Westside Neighborhood Association, I have fought for safer neighborhoods, sustainable development, and stronger civic engagement. My experience has equipped me to navigate complex challenges and push for policies that serve Lansing residents. I am running because Lansing deserves fresh perspective and bold leadership to build a brighter future. Our city is at a pivotal moment, and we must reassess our approach to housing, economic development, and sustainability. I bring practical solutions, ethical leadership, and a commitment to community-driven change that will help Lansing thrive for generations to come.
Affordable housing, economic growth, and sustainability are key issues facing Lansing. To address housing needs, we must modernize zoning laws and invest in mixed-income developments. Supporting local businesses and infrastructure improvements will foster economic growth. I also advocate for smart environmental policies, including expanding clean energy projects and improving green spaces.
I have been deeply involved in Lansing’s civic life. As President of the Westside Neighborhood Association, I’ve organized community initiatives and worked directly with residents. I have served on neighborhood-based leadership teams and have advocated for responsible development, walkable communities, and safer streets. I regularly attend City Council meetings to stay informed and push for community-centered solutions.
Residents must be central to decision-making. Public engagement ensures that policies reflect community needs. I support transparent governance, accessible forums for resident input, and initiatives that encourage civic participation. Citizens should have a direct voice in shaping policies, from neighborhood planning to budget decisions, because government works best when it listens to the people it serves.
Campaign Web Site http://peterspadafore.com
Facebook page http://facebook.com/peterspadafore
Education Michigan State University
Campaign Phone 5174812481
I'm running for office because I believe in a Lansing that works for everyone–block by block. For the past 14 years, I’ve had the privilege of representing the entire city, first on the Lansing School Board and now for two terms on the City Council. I’ve worked to improve transparency, strengthen neighborhoods, and make city government more responsive to the people it serves. As Council President during the COVID-19 pandemic, I helped keep the city financially stable while getting essential resources to residents in need. I also led the successful campaign to invest hundreds of millions in our public schools through a major bond initiative.

I know how city government works — and I know how to make it work better. I’m running to bring that experience home to the 4th Ward, where I can focus more directly on neighborhood concerns and use my citywide knowledge to deliver real results for our residents.
Lansing faces real challenges when it comes to infrastructure, public safety, and housing, and the 4th Ward feels that impact every day. Our roads and sidewalks need serious attention. As a Councilmember, I’ve pushed for smarter, more forward-looking infrastructure planning and fought for funding to fix our streets. I’ll continue working to ensure the 4th Ward gets its fair share of those investments.

Public safety is also top of mind. Residents deserve to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods. That means supporting our first responders while also investing in community-based solutions that help prevent crime before it happens.

When it comes to housing, Lansing needs more quality, affordable options for working families and seniors. I support policies that encourage responsible development, preserve existing housing, and address blight head-on. These issues are interconnected, and I bring the experience and citywide perspective to tackle them with real, lasting solutions.
I’ve spent over a decade deeply engaged in public service across Lansing. I began my service on the Lansing School Board and currently serve on the Lansing City Council, where I’ve chaired key committees including Ways and Means, City Operations, Municipal Audit, and Human Resources. I also had the honor of serving as Council President and Vice President.

Beyond Council, I’ve represented the city on the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission and served as liaison to the Capital Region International Airport and Downtown Lansing Inc. I regularly attend neighborhood meetings, as well as events hosted by labor, business, and civic organizations to stay connected with residents and community priorities.

My engagement has been rooted in listening, learning, and showing up where it matters. Whether at the policymaking table or in the community, I am committed to helping move Lansing forward.
I believe the more voices at the table, the better the outcome. Citizens play a critical role in the decision-making process by sharing their perspectives, raising concerns, and helping shape the direction of our city. I take feedback and constituent input very seriously and make it a point to listen carefully, whether it's through emails, phone calls, neighborhood meetings, or public comment.

I’m not afraid to make tough decisions or do what I believe is right, even when it’s not the most popular path. But even when we don’t agree, you’ll never feel like your voice didn’t matter. I’m committed to being accessible, responsive, and respectful to every resident who takes the time to be part of the process.
Campaign Web Site http://spurlock4lansing.com
Facebook page https://www.instagram.com/spurlock4lansing/
Education Indiana University Northwest
Campaign Phone 2489560552
I’m running to be Lansing’s City Council Ward 4 Representative because like many, I have grown tired of career politicians, wealthy individuals and unresponsive representatives sitting in seats of power. While this is a national issue, more topically, it's an issue that is banging on Lansing’s front door as well. I want to help the residents of Ward 4 succeed in whatever they’re doing, whether that be fighting for tenant’s rights, building new infrastructure or coming together as a community to do projects. Ward 4 deserves somebody who isn’t running to try to line their pocket books, bolster their career or step on resident’s backs to get a leg up for their political future.

I am currently working as a bartender at American Fifth Distillery, but have previously worked at Lansing Parks and Recreation (4.5 years), Meridian Township Clerk’s Office (1 year) and Red Cedar Spirits. I would utilize my combined experience to bring a community-focused seat to the Council.
Yes, there are a good handful. I’ll focus on two, shelving conversation about roads and general safety (both of which I’m in support to sensibly reform). First, tenant rights are being trampled across the city. Landlords who abuse the city’s laws to abuse tenants should be put on notice, because if I’m elected, current policies will be enforced and new policies will be presented to rein in that abuse. I would work with groups such as “Rent is Too Damn High” to shape these new policies presented. Second, federal cuts have hit Michigan hard in multiple different ways. Many programs and residents were already feeling the sting before this, and now it’s much worse. To combat this, I have pledged 20% (roughly $5.5k) of my Council Member salary per year directly back to Ward 4 via a system of grants. Applicants such as community gardens, cultural centers and neighborhood associations would be welcome to apply! In my opinion, it’s time for politicians to put their money where their mouth is.
Over the course of the last 5 months, I have poured a lot of focus on community outreach in different areas. Some notable groups I’ve visited have been multiple neighborhood associations, local cultural centers and small businesses. I just hosted a meeting for small businesses on June 9th for owners to come and give feedback and ideas about their visions of a successful Downtown District. Between handing out the invites and the meeting itself, I received a lot of feedback that I’ve used to shape my campaign.

I also attend protests frequently, the most recent being the “No Kings Day” that the organization 50501 hosted at the Capitol Building. I believe if a politician talks the talk, they darn well better walk the walk when the time comes to do so, and that’s a value I have infused into my campaign.
First, it’s important to note, citizens have been pushed to the side for decision making when it comes to many aspects of our city’s politics. When there is transparency in decision making, it seems shrouded at best, or non-existent at worst. Realistically, Council Members should be required to hold at bare minimum one meeting with their constituents a month to discuss upcoming votes and get their feedback. Currently, there is no such requirement, so one of my first bills I'd introduce would be to make it one.

I have pledged to hold two meetings with constituents per month, at times that are accessible to all (meaning there would be no more having to call off work on a Tuesday to speak to your representative). Even if I would disagree with how the Ward 4 constituents wanted me to vote, I would still vote to represent their ideals. I’m not running to prop myself up, I’m running because Ward 4 needs a proper funnel to the Council, the Mayor and beyond.