The race for Lansing’s mayor took a couple of twists on Sunday and former mayor Virg Bernero has ended his bid to return to city hall.
In a Facebook post, Bernero said that when he entered the race, he had hoped to be a “catalyst for necessary change,” and had been forgiven by his wife Teri for his past mistakes, but added that “politics is less forgiving.”
Bernero’s withdrawal from the race came minutes after city council member at-large Kathie Dunbar announced that rather than run for another term on the council, she will instead run for mayor.
Mayor Andy Schor is running for a second term, and another council member at-large, Patricia Spitzley, entered the crowded field last week. Larry Hutchinson Jr. and Farhan Sheikh-Omar are also running to lead the city.
The filing deadline to enter the race is April 20. There will be a primary election on August 3. The general election will be held November 2.