Lansing council candidates raise over $100K before Nov. election; Here are the biggest donors

Editor's note: A report filed by Yanice Jackson-Long's campaign committee erroneously listed donor Steven Monti as employed by a law firm. This story has been updated to include the correct information about Monti's employment.

LANSING — Lansing's general election is less than a week away and so far six City Council candidates have brought in more than $104,000 cumulatively.

Incumbents Carol Wood, at large, and Jody Washington, 1st Ward, have raised the most, according to disclosure reports due last Friday, with much of that money coming from political action committees affiliated with labor unions.

Figures listed below include monetary donations to candidate committees this election cycle; the totals do not include in-kind donations of goods and services.

1st Ward

Northeast Lansing, elect one candidate

Brandon Betz

Money raised: $11,281

Largest donation: $1,050 from John Krohn, program manager for the Ingham County Land Bank

Challenger Brandon Betz, an economist, has presented himself as a more progressive foil to incumbent Jody Washington. 

Among other criticisms, he has painted Washington as the product of big-money interests, including PACs and developers.

Betz said he refuses to accept money from "big developers" and would only take PAC money if the group was progressive.

PACs are one way to get around restrictions on direct contributions from corporations and labor unions to candidate committees.

"I'm really proud that 100% of my support is from individuals," Betz said. "I think we really need to make sure the corrupting influence of money in politics is gone as much as possible. ... When big developers donate to candidates and then come to council for tax breaks, that has a corrupting influence."

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Jody Washington

Money raised: $24,295

Largest donation: $7,500 from Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 333

Washington, who is endorsed by establishment groups including the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Lansing Association of Realtors, has thus far outraised her opponent by a ratio of more than 2-1.

"I am so proud of all of my endorsements," Washington said. "I am happy that I also have the support of businesses. ... We are now united so we can move forward with labor and development."

Washington, a legal affairs specialist for the Michigan Department of Corrections has endorsements from most major organized labor groups in Greater Lansing. The Iron Workers Union Local Chapter 25 union, which has endorsed Betz, is an exception.

"If he (Betz) had gotten their endorsements, I guarantee you he would have taken their checks," she said of labor PACs.

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At large

Citywide, elect two candidates

Carol Wood

Total raised: $26,265

Largest donations: $7,500 from Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 333

Carol Wood, a five-term incumbent, raised more than any other candidate so far this election cycle. 

Wood is executive director of a regional chapter of RSVP, an agency that connects senior citizens with volunteer opportunities.

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Julee Rodocker

Total raised: $15,613

Largest donation:  $11,086 from Julee Rodocker (self), which includes a $8,490 outstanding loan from the candidate to her own committee

Julee Rodocker, a buyer for Consumers Energy, serves on Lansing's Board of Police Commissioners.

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Patricia Spitzley

Total raised: $13,125

Largest donation: $1,500 from the United Auto Workers

Incumbent Patricia Spitzley is an attorney who works for RACER Trust, an organization that redevelops former General Motors properties.

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Yanice Jackson-Long

Total raised: $13,121

Largest donations: $600 from Steven Monti, a self-employed caregiver, and $600 from William Amadeo, an attorney with Ann Arbor Legal

Challenger Yanice Jackson-Long is an account clerk for the Ingham County Treasurer's Office.

"We're running a good old grassroots campaign that's focused on the people," she said.

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3rd Ward

Incumbent Adam Hussain, who is running unopposed to represent southwest Lansing, raised $1,100 this elective cycle.

How to vote

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5. If you haven't registered to vote yet, you may register on Election Day at your local clerk's office.

Additionally, Lansing's city clerk offers in-person absentee voting at 2500 S. Washington Ave.

Lansing in-person absentee voting hours are as follows:

• Monday, Nov. 4: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (beginning 40 days prior to Election Day)
• Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (beginning 40 days prior to Election Day)
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (three days prior to Election Day)
• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (two days prior to Election Day

Contact reporter Sarah Lehr at (517) 377-1056 or slehr@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahGLehr.

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