Yorko won't seek re-election to Lansing council
Yorko cites medical reasons for why she won't seek a third term. Bernero describes her as "an outstanding force for positive change."
LANSING -- Two-term Lansing City Council member Jessica Yorko announced this morning that she will not seek re-election.
The current 4th Ward council member confirmed today to the Lansing State Journal that medical reasons have caused her to re-think her plans to seek a third term. Yorko said she is experiencing extreme pain in her left shoulder, arm and wrist that will require months of rehabilitation.
"Prognosis for full recovery is excellent, so long as I put in the time and work hard at the phys therapy," Yorko wrote in a text message to the State Journal. Yorko wrote that her condition started with a case of bursitis, that got progressively worse.
On Facebook, Yorko described her diagnosis as "adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, which has led to dislocation of a few ribs along with tears in the deltoid muscle and tendinitis in much of the arm and shoulder." Yorko will undergo six months of "intense therapy," including joint and muscle injections.
At-Large Council Member Judi Brown Clarke also will give up her council seat because she has filed to run for mayor. That means at least two new City Council members will be seated in 2018.
The city also will have a new mayor after Virg Bernero announced he won't seek a fourth term.
Bernero said in a statement emailed to the State Journal that Yorko has been "an outstanding force for positive change."
While Jessica and I haven’t always agreed on policy issues, she has been a bold, forward-thinking progressive who loves Lansing and stands up for our residents," Bernero said. "I wish her all the best with her health challenges, and I’m confident she will continue to serve our community in numerous ways, and influence the next generation of leaders.”
In addition to Clarke, state Rep. Andy Schor, D-Lansing, has filed to run for mayor.
Rounding out the council races, incumbent At-Large Council Member Kathie Dunbar and 2nd Ward Council Member Tina Houghton have not yet filed, although both are expected to run.
All current terms expire on Dec. 31.
Nine council candidates have filed to run for the Nov. 7 general election. The filing deadline is April 25; the primary will be held Aug. 8.
As of 9 a.m. today, these were all the candidates who had filed:
- Peter Spadafore, a Lansing school board member and former school board president; at-large seat.
- Christopher Jackson, legal aid attorney for Lansing-based Elder Law of Michigan, at-large seat.
- Guillermo Lopez, Lansing school board member, at-large seat
- Michael Ruddock, Michigan State University student, at-large seat
- Justin DeBoer, McDonald's restaurant cook, at-large seat
- Jim DeLine, former internal auditor for City Council; 2nd Ward.
- Julee Rodocker, Consumers Energy transformers buyer, 2nd Ward.
- Jaron Green, Army veteran and state legislative intern, 2nd Ward
- Dr. James McClurken, senior associate for Cambridge Research Consultants, 4th Ward.
Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at (517) 377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.