Hussain and Wood appear likely to lead Council in 2022

FRIDAY, Dec. 10 — At-Large Lansing City Councilman Peter Spadafore said he plans to nominate Third Ward Councilman Adam Hussain to take over his role as president next year. And Hussain said he’ll take the gavel if his other six colleagues decide to support the move. 

“If my peers on the Council decide they want me to facilitate next year, I’m willing,” Hussain told City Pulse, noting that he’s still not actively “jockeying” for the role. “No one has told me they’re interested. I had a couple of people ask me if I was interested — mostly likely because I’ve been VP for the last two years. We’ll see what happens. Regardless, my hope is that we can get leadership in place, get committees set and keep the work of the Council moving forward.”

Spadafore,  who was elected to his second term in November,  has served the last two years as president alongside Hussain in the second-in-command spot. Like every other year, the Council plans to select a new leadership slate at its first meeting of the New Year on Jan. 3. And Spadafore said he isn’t interested in a third year behind the wheel of the Council.

“I’ve had discussions with Vice President Hussain about taking over as president. I’m a firm believer in succession planning and I’ll be making a nomination for Adam to be the president,” Spadafore told City Pulse. “For me, it’s just about consistency in leadership. I’ve always viewed the vice presidential role as a way to better understand the presidency and move into that role.”

Spadafore also said he plans to nominate six-term Councilwoman Carol Wood to the vice presidency, whose encyclopedic knowledge of city business will serve as a support for Hussain.

Wood also announced last January that she has no plans to again file for reelection in 2023.

“Council member Wood is very equipped to take the reins. I think it’ll be nice to have that expertise and experience to help navigate us through the next year,” Spadafore explained.

Hussain slid unopposed into a second term in 2019 to represent southwest Lansing. He has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Central Michigan University. He’s also a social studies teacher at Waverly Community Schools and chairman of the Council’s Committee on Personnel.

If elected president next month, Hussain would wield more than ceremonial gavel authorities. The president is also empowered to appoint committee members and control meeting agendas, ultimately deciding which specific issues land on the City Council’s radar over the next year.

The vice president and president are also paid more than other Council members. Spadafore collected $28,966 this year. Hussain made $27,335. Other Council members earned $26,357.

“I also believe the president has the responsibility to ensure all Council members feel supported and are supported in doing the work that the position demands,” Hussain explained. “That means reaching out. That means taking calls. That means problem solving. There are also those responsibilities to ensuring the legislative process remains efficient and transparent.”

Councilman Brian Jackson said he’s open to any leadership slate that gets a nomination next month. He noted that he’s also not actively campaigning for a leadership role in 2022. Wood and Council members Patricia Spitzley, Brandon Betz and Jeremy Garza didn’t return calls for this story. Newly elected Councilman Jeff Brown also didn’t return calls to City Pulse, though it’s unlikely the Council would choose to vote the first-term newbie into a leadership role.

Some have speculated that electing Hussain and Wood to lead the Council next year could lead to a more conservative-leaning tilt on various city issues — especially with the departure of Councilwoman Kathie Dunbar, who Jackson said was among the most progressive on the dais. But Spadafore said he doesn’t expect much to change in Lansing’s political winds regardless.

“I think it’s hard to peg down City Council issues as conservative or not conservative,” he added. “There could certainly be a new dynamic and a shift in priorities, especially with a new Council member coming on board next year, but it’s still going to be at least seven of the same people.”