Rep. Anthony reaffirms support for Washington in Lansing Council race 

FRIDAY, Nov. 1 —State Rep. Sarah Anthony, a Democrat who represents Lansing in the Capitol, has reaffirmed her support for Councilwoman Jody Washington in next week’s election after giving mixed messages. 

She made the announcement today in a Facebook post: “I wanted to be sure to set the record straight regarding my endorsement in one of the upcoming city council races,” she wrote. “Just to clarify, I committed my support for Jody Washington in the First Ward in the Spring and have not withdrawn that support.” 

Earlier this week, City Pulse published an article in which Anthony stated that she hadn’t given Washington permission to use her name in campaign literature. Washington’s challenger, Brandon Betz had called foul at Washington’s claims for support from Anthony as well as “all unions” after one union, the Iron Workers, had endorsed Betz. 

Anthony praised Betz and his commitment to social justice, and characterized her “endorsement” of Washington in April as part of a casual conversation on Facebook. When Washington had asked Anthony at that time if she had her support, the representative said, “Sure.” 

Reached by text after the new Facebook post, Anthony told City Pulse: “At the end of the day, I gave her permission to use my name early on and need to honor that regardless of recent developments." 

Anthony said there were no errors in the article. 

It’s the latest turn in what’s become an increasingly contentious debate that’s gotten negative toward the end, with direct mail pouring into northeast Lansing mailboxes, including a new one from outside group Solidarity, attacking Betz’s work at the Anderson Economic Group, which covers the auto industry, as “regressive.” 

Betz has since taken a position at the progressive Michigan League for Public Policy, which he said better aligns with his political philosophy than Anderson.