As we celebrate Independence Day, we recognize the freedoms that define our nation—especially the power of democracy. That same spirit lives on through your Association’s candidate vetting process.
A committee of your peers carefully evaluates local candidates based on their positions on real estate and private property rights, ensuring our endorsements reflect the values that matter to our industry.
Please see below for the endorsed candidates for the City of Lansing.
✅ Aurelius Christian
Lansing City Council At-Large
Brief Bio: Aurelius Christian is a Lansing native, lifelong resident, and a proud graduate of Lansing Eastern High School and Michigan State University. The son of a United States Marine Corps Sergeant and a dedicated healthcare and service professional, Aurelius learned early the value of service to others. Those values have guided his work at the intersection of economic development and community well-being.
Aurelius has been recognized across the region as a rising leader, earning the 10 Over the Next 10 Award from the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and graduating from the Michigan Political Leadership Program. He is also a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional, equipping him with the tools to drive sustainable, inclusive growth in Lansing.
Aurelius currently serves as the Board Treasurer for the Allen Neighborhood Center helping advance strategic initiatives that support food security, affordable housing, health access, and strong neighborhoods. He also is a member on the Capital Region Community Foundation Impact Grant Committee where he helps allocate nearly $1 million in grants annually to nonprofit organizations focused on equity, youth empowerment, arts, environment, and basic needs. Previously, Aurelius served a full term as Board Secretary for the Ingham Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center with over 12 locations, 27,000 patients and 65,000 annual visits.
He has played an active role in driving Lansing forward through his work with the Lansing Economic Development Corporation, where he champions small business expansion and neighborhood revitalization efforts that put Lansing residents first. Aurelius blends strategic thinking with a heart for service.
Top Priorities: Neighborhoods, Quality Housing, Public Safety
What do you want to say to REALTORS®: Thank you for being on the front lines of building stronger, more stable communities. As a candidate and public servant, I deeply value the role REALTORS® play in expanding access to homeownership, supporting economic mobility, and shaping the future of our neighborhoods.
What does homeownership mean to you: Homeownership represents stability, empowerment, and generational opportunity. It’s not just about owning property—it’s about having a stake in your community, the ability to build wealth, and a sense of belonging. For too many, that dream remains out of reach. As a lifelong Lansing resident, I’m committed to making sure more families—especially first-time buyers and historically underserved communities—can achieve the security and pride that come with owning a home in the city they love.
___________________________________________________________________________________
✅ Peter Spadafore
Lansing City Council At-Large
Brief Bio: I have a long track record of making a difference in Lansing, bringing positive and proactive change—block by block.
I’m passionate about creating a brighter future for Lansing’s children, families, and seniors. I’ve put that passion to work in a variety of roles, including throughout my two terms on the Lansing City Council, where I’ve worked to improve city government services, transparency, and accountability.
I was first elected to the Lansing City Council in 2017 on a platform of building bridges and creating partnerships to help bring progress to Lansing. My colleagues quickly recognized me as a leader and consensus builder, electing me vice president in just my second year and then president for two years. It was during this critical period that I helped navigate the city through the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic—getting essential resources to residents in need while also helping keep the city on solid financial footing despite the unprecedented economic challenges.
Before serving on the City Council, I served on the Lansing School Board from 2012 through 2017. As board president, I helped lead the Lansing School District through a successful school bond issue in 2016, investing hundreds of millions of dollars into our local schools to create safer, cleaner, and more modern learning environments. I also played a key role in the successful campaign to renew the school district’s 20-year millage, securing about $18 million annually to support Lansing students.
A Spartan for life, I’m a proud graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University, where I studied social relations and policy with a focus on education policy and homeland security studies. I also played saxophone in the Spartan Marching Band and was honored to receive the MSU Alumni Association’s “Distinguished Young Alumni” award in 2015.
Top Priorities: Infrastructure, public safety, city services.
What do you want to say to REALTORS®: The REALTOR® community serves a vital role in Lansing, as large companies and small businesses you help so many of our residents realize the dream of home ownership and help grow our population.
What does homeownership mean to you: It means security in the short and long term.
_________________________________________________________________________________
✅ Mayor Andy Schor
Mayor of Lansing
Bio: Andy Schor serves as the 52nd Mayor of Lansing, Michigan.
Mayor Schor believes that Lansing’s time is now! He is focused on further growing Lansing as a vibrant and welcoming community.
Under Mayor Schor’s leadership, Lansing has seen billions in new investments all across the city, either completed or in progress. Schor has focused on housing for all and economic development throughout Lansing, along with strengthening neighborhoods and providing necessary social services for those of need. Lansing is a safe city, with crime being reduced each year. And Mayor Schor has increased access to recreational activities with new parks, improved play equipment, and recreation opportunities for all residents.
Prior to his election as mayor, Schor served as a State Representative and, before that, as an Ingham County Commissioner. Professionally, he has worked on good government policy issues, including several years at the Michigan Municipal League, working for the Michigan Insurance Commissioner, and as an aide in the Michigan Legislature.
Andy and his wife, Erin, are proud to call Lansing home. They have two children, both graduates of Lansing Everett High School. Mayor Schor graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and history.
Top Priorities: Housing and Growth (Economic Development), Roads, Sidewalks, and Infrastructure, Public Safety
What do you want to say to REALTORS®: Thank you for endorsing my campaign. It has been great working with the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS® and many of our individual REALTORS® to bring more residents to our city. As Lansing grows, the demand for housing increases and the REALTORS® play a greater and greater role in making sure that people have places to live. I look forward to continuing to work with GLAR and individual REALTORS® as we increase the population of Lansing and help people to get into their Lansing home, from starter homes to their dream home!
What does homeownership mean to you: Homeownership provides people with a place of their own to live and raise a family. While some want to rent, many want to build equity in a place that they can call their own. And they want a place that they can love and improve. Homeownership is about being part of a neighborhood and a community, where people can socialize or play at a park or enjoy trails. It is about having corridors and business districts near them. In Lansing, we have many neighborhoods with great character, and people love their homes as part of these small communities within our city. As Mayor, I am excited that we at the City of Lansing have been able to support homeowners and neighborhoods through the Department of Neighborhoods (which I created in 2018). We support cleanups, provide grants for neighborhoods for everything from bike racks to potlucks, work with artists for neighborhood arts, etc. We constantly improve our 111 parks, which are a 10 minute walk to every home in Lansing. LPD has community policing officer districts and patrols (cars, bikes, walking) throughout Lansing to touch base with neighbors about crime and safety. We have also created a rehab program to assist those homeowners of need with necessary housing repairs. It is a priority of my administration to assist and provide more opportunities for new and existing residents to become homeowners and further feel a part of their neighborhood community.
Be sure to vote in the primary election on August 5!