Betz calls foul at fliers from Washington in Lansing City Council race

First Ward challenger Brandon Betz is calling foul at some campaign fliers being distributed by Lansing City Councilwoman Jody Washington as Tuesday’s General Election approaches.

Washington is touting a disputed endorsement from state Rep. Sarah Anthony on one mailer. And on another flier handed to a constituent, she handwrote, “I am endorsed by UAW and ALL other unions!”

However, Betz has been endorsed by the Ironworkers Union Local 25.

“We also contacted Sarah Anthony and she stated that she never approved of Jody using her as an endorsement,” said Betz’s campaign manager, Ross Fisher, who sent copies of campaign literature he said was bogus. “I hope the public can be made aware of these blatant false statements being made by Jody.”

Both candidates are fighting for support from Anthony as well as labor unions — although Washington has been more successful, particularly on the latter. “He tried to get all of them, and he didn’t get them,” she said.

The situation with Anthony is more complicated. The state representative did initially support Washington’s candidacy early this year, but as Betz became a contender, she appeared to have wavered back to a neutral position. She said she did not give Washington permission to use her name on fliers. “I did not authorize any of those mailings,” Anthony said.

The “endorsement” started as casual support on Facebook, which Anthony said they never formalized. “We never really sat down and talked about it. I need to be better about being very clear.”

She was amused to be the center of the fight of a Lansing City Council race, something she chalked up to her progressive record and last-ditch efforts of a tight campaign. “It’s so close. I think everyone’s getting a bit kooky.”

“I have been talking to Brandon fairly regularly. He’s been doing a really good job. People on the east side have been raving about him,” Anthony said. She said while there was still much to support with Washington, they have stiff disagreement over Washington’s opposition to a social equity program for marijuana entrepreneurs. “That’s a huge sticking point between Jody and I. Her position has been troubling to me.”

Anthony said she believed there had been some miscommunication between her and Washington. She has supported Washington in the past, and did offer tentative support before the filing deadline on April 23 and allowed her to indicate her support on Facebook.

“She did endorse me. I spoke with her prior to the primary,” Washington said. “She did not pull her endorsement. I did not quote her. I listed her as an endorsement. I listed many who endorsed my campaign. People, labor and businesses, etc. Not sure what you are trying to get at here.”

Washington didn’t understand the mix-up. When she asked Anthony for her support, she said, “Sure,” Washington said, adding she hadn’t doubted Anthony’s continued endorsement just as she hasn’t gone back to double-check endorsements from the United Auto Workers or the Lansing Labor Council.

“If this is the best the Pulse has, God bless you. Trashing individuals is all your paper does anymore. I would hope journalism could be better than that,” she said. “People are really starting to look at the Pulse as a tabloid, and it’s really too bad.”

(City Pulse endorsed Betz two weeks ago.)

Anthony said she tried to talk with Washington later this spring about not considering her ongoing support an endorsement, after it became clear there were other candidates in the ring who are also qualified. Anthony said they had not spoken about the campaign since.

Still, Anthony said she was ready to work with either Washington or Betz after next week’s election. She said she had worked well as a county commissioner with Washington, and Anthony and Betz are aligned on issues of social justice.

Betz also accused Washington of “mudslinging” and referred to another campaign flier as “disparaging,” as it ties Facebook comments from Betz with postings to controversial activist Martin Mashon, with whom Washington has sought a restraining order.

“It’s really disappointing she can’t stand on her merit as a City Councilwoman,” he said. “People are really sick of Jody’s negativity.”

After last week’s filing deadline, Washington has reported almost twice as much campaign finance money as Betz. She added $9,100 to her campaign chest for a total of $23,300 this election. Betz added $3,200 for a total of $11,200.

Washington has big financial support from developers, the Realtors and several unions, including $7,500 from the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 333 and $1,500 from the UAW Michigan PAC and $1,500 from the Michigan Council of Carpenters PAC. Joel Ferguson, CEO of Ferguson Development, which is undertaking the massive Red Cedar redevelopment with public help, gave her $1,100. Developer Pat Gillespie also gave $500.

She also received a $100 donation from Mayor Andy Schor — but he said not to consider that an endorsement.  “I haven’t endorsed anyone for City Council.”

Betz’s biggest contribution came from James Krohn, garden program manager of the Ingham County Land Bank, who gave him $1,050.

In the at-large race, veteran Councilwoman Carol Wood leads all candidates with $26,300. She also received $1,000 from Ferguson and $1,500 from the UAW fund. Additionally, she received $500 from Neogen CEO Jim Herbert, who lobbied the city to overturn its short-lived sanctuary city status in 2017 and is a leading opponent of marijuana dispensaries.

Challenger Julee Rodocker reported $15,600, but donated most of that money herself. Both incumbent Councilwoman Patricia Spitzley and challenger Yanice Jackson-Long reported totals of about $13,100.