Former Mayor Virg Bernero drops Lansing mayoral bid, Dunbar joins the race
Craig LyonsLANSING – Former Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero ended his reelection bid Sunday and Kathie Dunbar became the second City Council member in a week to announce a mayoral campaign.
Bernero's announcement comes weeks after several women accused him of sexual harassment during his tenure in the Michigan Legislature and while he was mayor. He defended himself against those claims.
Shortly after Bernero bowed out of the race in a public Facbook post, Dunbar joined the race the same way, posting on the social media site that she intends to run for mayor and will not seek reelection for her at-large seat on the City Council.
The former mayor's statement said his “wife and family have forgiven me for the mistakes of the past, but politics is less forgiving.”
Bernero went on to say: “With gratitude and love as my compass and with unbound confidence in Lansing's future, I end my quest for mayor. This son of an Italian produce man will remain loyal to the city that so greatly honored me for 12 years. God bless Lansing and each of you!”
Bernero did not respond to a request for additional comment on Sunday.
Bernero's 25-year political career included time on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners and in the Michigan Legislature. He was first elected mayor of Lansing in 2005, serving from Jan. 1, 2006 to Jan. 1, 2018.
Bernero did not seek reelection in 2017. In 2018, he opened a consulting business and later joined the Capital Area Manufacturing Council as executive director before leaving that position in March to pursue a new bid for mayor.
Dark money group targets Bernero with mailers about harassment allegations
Bernero's announcement followed a second mailer from Michigan Deserves Better, a nonprofit group that is not required to disclose the names of donors or the amounts they contribute. Such groups are supposed to focus on "social welfare" issues, although they are permitted some political activity under IRS regulations.
The group first sent mailers in March drawing attention to allegations of sexual harassment surfacing from Bernero's past.
On Friday, a new mailer recalled the controversial departure of Janene McIntyre, who served as city attorney during Bernero's tenure, claiming her $160,662 payout followed a threat to sue for sexual harassment.
McIntyre left the city’s top lawyer job in 2016. Neither she nor Bernero have spoken publicly about the reasons behind her departure. Her separation agreement included a non-disparagement clause that prohibited McIntyre, Bernero and several of Bernero's top staffers from discussing any potentially damaging details under penalty of fines.
After the March mailing, Bernero called the tactic as a “new low in Lansing politics” in a statement.
"I acknowledge that I have been overly flirtatious with women in the past and wasn’t always faithful in my marriage," Bernero said. "For those that I hurt, especially my wife, I am profoundly sorry and have publicly apologized. At the same time, I make no apologies for defending myself against false accusations."
More:Misspelled dark money flyers target Bernero over sexual harassment allegations
Dunbar latest to join mayoral race
Tuesday is the filing deadline for Lansing's election. First-term Mayor Andy Schor is seeking reelection, challenged by Council Member Patricia Spitzley, who formally announced her campaign last week. Four political newcomers, Arielle Padilla, Jeffery Scott Handley Jr., Larry James Hutchinson Jr., Melissa Huber and FarhanSheikh-Omar also have filed to run for mayor.
Dunbar is the executive director of the South Lansing Community Development Association. She was first elected to City Council in 2005 and began serving on Jan. 1, 2006. She is finishing her fourth term.
"Voters have endured enough debate about settling for a candidate who is less than the worst," Dunbar posted on Facebook. "I'm not entering this race because I have all the answers. I don't, and it would be arrogant to claim otherwise."
"I'm committed to listening and learning and working alongside you to create a city everyone can be proud of," she added.
Candidates cannot run for two offices on the same ballot, so if Dunbar does not win the mayor's seat she would have to wait for the 2023 election for a chance to return to the council.
Spitzley is reaching the half-way point of her second term, so she could continue on the council if she did not win the mayoral race.
The election is nonpartisan, but an August primary will narrow the mayoral field to two candidates. Voters also will elect four City Council members and as well as a city clerk.
Contact reporter Craig Lyons at 517-377-1047 or calyons@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @craigalyons.