2003 Lansing mayoral special election

none January 2025 January 2025 2003 Lansing mayoral special election presidential 2001 Lansing mayoral election 2001 2005 Lansing mayoral election 2005 November 4, 2003 3x4.svg Tony Benavides Nonpartisan 11,789 50.55% c0c0c0 Virgil Bernero File:Virg-2.jpg Nonpartisan 11,531 49.45% c0c0c0 Mayor Tony Benavides Nonpartisan Tony Benavides Nonpartisan The 2003 Lansing special mayoral election was held on November 4, 2003, with a primary election that was held on August 5, 2003. Lansing Mayor David Hollister resigned on January 28, 2003, to serve as Director of the newly created Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth under Governor Jennifer Granholm, which elevated City Council President Tony Benavides as Mayor.MacDonald Christine Mayors say city is on right path Lansing State Journal January 28, 2003 Lansing, Michigan 1B https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal/175175051/ June 24, 2025 The special election was held to fill the remaining two years of Hollister's term. Benavides ran in the special election, and was initially challenged by State Representative Michael Murphy.MacDonald Christine Murphy bids for Lansing's top job Lansing State Journal February 25, 2003 Lansing, Michigan 1A https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal/175175280/ June 24, 2025 However, prior to the filing deadline, Murphy withdrew from the race, initially leaving Benavides without a serious opponent.MacDonald Christine Murphy drops out of Lansing mayor race Lansing State Journal May 6, 2003 Lansing, Michigan 1A https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal/175175330/ June 24, 2025 State Senator Virgil Bernero announced that he would run, and he emerged as Benavides's leading challenger.MacDonald Christine Bernero to join race for Lansing mayor Lansing State Journal May 12, 2003 Lansing, Michigan 1A https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal/175173363/ June 24, 2025 In the August 5 primary, Benavides placed first over Bernero by a wide margin, winning 56 percent of the vote to Bernero's 38 percent. In the November 4 general election, however, Benavides only narrowly defeated Bernero, 51–49 percent. Primary election Candidates Tony Benavides, incumbent Mayor of Lansing Virgil Bernero, State Senator Melissa Sue Robinson, maintenance administrator, transgender rights advocateGumbrecht Jamie Mayoral candidate has her true voice Detroit Free Press June 12, 2003 Detroit, Michigan 6B https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/175173742/ June 24, 2025Burton Tracy Timmon will run Robinson campaign Lansing State Journal June 21, 2003 Lansing, Michigan 1B https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal/175173817/ June 24, 2025 Leon J. Black, retired data systems analyst Mary Ann Prince, retired state employeeMacDonald Christine Mayor's campaign loses 2nd worker Lansing State Journal June 5, 2003 Lansing, Michigan 1B https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal/175173981/ June 24, 2025 Gerald J. Rowley, retired Michigan National Guard sergeant (dropped out)McCurtis Jr. James Rowley abandons mayoral campaign Lansing State Journal August 1, 2003 Lansing, Michigan 1B https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal/175174014/ June 24, 2025 Results 2003 Lansing mayoral primary election resultsOdd Year City Primary and Special Elections, Ingham County, Michigan, Tuesday, August 05, 2003 Ingham County Clerk June 6, 2005 https://docs.ingham.org/Portals/CL/Documents/Election_Info/2003/Primary2003/p03cum.htm June 24, 2025 Tony Benavides (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 6,668 56.31% Virgil Bernero Nonpartisan candidate 4,506 38.05% Melissa Sue Robinson Nonpartisan candidate 253 2.14% Leon J. Black Nonpartisan candidate 170 1.44% Mary Ann Prince Nonpartisan candidate 156 1.32% Gerald J. Rowley Nonpartisan candidate 89 0.75% 11,842 100.00% General election Results 2003 Lansing mayoral general election resultsOdd Year General 03, Ingham County, Michigan, Tuesday, November 04, 2003 Ingham County Clerk 2003 https://docs.ingham.org/Portals/CL/Documents/Election_Info/2003/General2003/03110003.htm June 24, 2025 Tony Benavides (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 11,789 50.55% Virgil Bernero Nonpartisan candidate 11,531 49.45% 23,320 100.00% References Lansing Category:Mayoral elections in Lansing, Michigan Lansing