Will Bernero run again? Here's the answer

LANSING -- Mayor Virg Bernero revealed Friday that he will seek his fourth term as mayor of the capital city.

In a six-paragraph statement emailed to the Lansing State Journal, Bernero confirmed he will seek re-election. The statement can be read in full at the end of this story.

The statement mentions state Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing, who could challenge Bernero for the seat, along with Bernero's concerns about a shadowy group called No Secret Lansing Deals.

Bernero questioned Schor's ethics and said Schor appears to support the group that has been critical of the mayor and his administration.  The group describes itself on its Facebook page as citizens and business owners who "are tired of no-bid contracts, insider politicking, and Capital Region influence peddling."

"I am prepared to reapply for my job and serve my city, not slander my opponent," Bernero wrote. "I plan to run on my record, Andy, why can't you? Andy Schor hasn't even announced yet, and his campaign is already off on the wrong foot. I will be running a positive campaign focused on my plans for Lansing’s future."

Asked via text message if excerpts from the statement confirm a re-election campaign and if he could expound further on the entire message, Bernero's reply message was "That's my statement."

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The No Secret Lansing Deals Group hasn't disclosed its members, but is a client of Vanguard Public Affairs, a Lansing-based firm. TJ Bucholz, the firm's president and CEO, said Friday the group has no ties to Schor. Bernero alleges in his statement that Bucholz is "spokesperson" for Schor's mayoral campaign.

Schor said Bucholz is not a spokesperson, only "a friend helping me navigate this decision making process."

"I’m going to make the decision and announce on my timetable -- not his," Schor said of Bernero. "I’ve have many communications friends, and TJ is one of them. I know zero about his other clients."

Bernero called the relationship between Bucholz and Schor troubling.

"This news is especially disheartening after the nasty, hate-filled presidential campaign that has divided our country," Bernero said.

In 2015, Bernero showed support for a group called Capitol Region Progress. The shadowy group didn't disclose their members or how they were funded. It made robocalls and sent mailings to residents criticizing First Ward Council Member Jody Washington and Third Ward Council Member Adam Hussain, her son. Both ended up winning seats in the election that fall. Bernero told the LSJ about a month before the election that he "may not agree with all their tactics," but appreciated CRP's support for a "pro-jobs, pro-growth agenda."

Bucholz said he's always been transparent about the No Secret Lansing Deals group being a Vanguard client. Group members, according to Bucholz, remain anonymous because they are concerned that Bernero would "seek retribution on them."

Bucholz said Bernero's statement Friday night, a "convoluted email," appeared to show he's concerned about being challenged by Schor.

"The truth hurts, and clearly the mayor is in pain," Bucholz said.

Bernero's statement also mentions that Lansing residents "deserve nothing less than a campaign focused on the real issues and positive plans for Lansing's future." He emphasized a campaign should "showcase the real record and qualifications of both candidates."

Schor said that if he does choose to run for mayor, he will comply with those standards.

“It’s good that the mayor wants to run a clean campaign," Schor said. "I’ve never ran anything but clean campaigns.”

The filing deadline for the mayoral race is 4 p.m. April 25. The mayoral election is Nov. 7. That election will also determine seats for four City Council members whose terms expire Dec. 31. One of them is At-Large Council Member Judi Brown Clarke, who also is considering a run for mayor. Messages left Friday night with Clarke weren't returned.

Contact Eric Lacy at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.

Bernero's statement 

"In an ironic twist of events, it turns out that the Facebook group No Secret Lansing Deals, which claims to be made up of "concerned Lansing citizens and local business owners" is harboring plenty of secrets of its own. We know that PR Guru TJ Bucholz is the man behind the curtain. Quoted in the City Pulse last month as a frontman of No Secret Lansing Deals, Bucholz is unwilling to admit who is lining his pockets to run this alternative fact campaign. And you will be shocked to hear who just added Bucholz to their payroll.

Today we learned from a reliable source that Bucholz, head of Vanguard Public Affairs, is now spokesperson for Andy Schor's mayoral campaign -- which is expected to announce next Wednesday.

This news is especially disheartening after the nasty, hate-filled presidential campaign that has divided our country.

Lansing voters deserve nothing less than a campaign focused on the real issues and positive plans for Lansing's future. I believe a campaign should simply showcase the real record and qualifications of both candidates.

I am prepared to reapply for my job and serve my city, not slander my opponent. I plan to run on my record, Andy, why can't you?

Andy Schor hasn't even announced yet, and his campaign is already off on the wrong foot. I will be running a positive campaign focused on my plans for Lansing's future."