THE ELECTION GUIDE

Round Four — Lansing City Council 4th Ward

Brian Jackson vs. Elvin Caldwell

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Jackson
Jackson
Jackson, 37, is running for his second term representing the Fourth Ward on the Council. A lifelong resident of the Frances Park Neighborhood and a J.W. Sexton High School graduate, Jackson has degrees in both political science and criminal justice from Indiana State University, as well as a law degree from Howard University School of Law. He has worked as both a prosecutor for the city and as a criminal defense attorney, currently representing indigent defendants as an assistant public defender at the Ingham County Office of the Public Defender.

Caldwell,
Caldwell,
Caldwell, 32, has lived in downtown Lansing for the last eight years and works as a licensed real estate agent, as well as a licensed lobbyist, outreach coordinator and legislative consultant at Fraser Consulting, a subsidiary of the full-service Lansing-based law firm of Fraser Trebilcock. Caldwell also serves as the board secretary of the Capital Area Housing Partnership and was featured on the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce’s latest “Ten Over the Next 10” list. 

Jackson said he is uniquely qualified for another term because he has “deep ties and connections to the people” in the Fourth Ward and no loyalties to any special interest groups.

“I understand that being the 4th Ward representative is to represent everyone, especially the marginalized. I will use my learned experience to get things done on behalf of the people,” he told City Pulse. “People should do their research and make their own choice. If they choose me, they will get someone with experience whose heart and mind are in the right place.”

Jackson’s top priorities include fostering the development of more affordable housing in the city, improving the relationship between police and the public and protecting the environment. He also wants to support policies and programs designed to boost racial equity among residents.

“Public safety reforms play an important part because they could address the disparities within the criminal justice system that slants against the poor and people of color. We should shift our public safety away from a reactive, punitive system into a proactive system that addresses the causes of crime,” Jackson said, noting a desire for more oversight on complaints against cops.

In recent months, Jackson has led the charge on amending and repealing several criminal infractions within the city, including laws that made it illegal to possess drug paraphernalia (like needles) or loiter in an area with a reputation for drug dealing or prostitution. “The ordinance repeals were important to clean up our laws to reflect our values,” he said. “Most were for things that shouldn’t be criminal, and I think most people in Lansing would agree.” 

Jackson also usually votes against closed sessions in the general interest of transparency.

Also on Jackson’s priority list for the next four years: actually attending his meetings. 

In January, City Pulse discovered that Jackson had missed 11 out of 12 meetings of the Ways and Means Committee in 2020 — in part because he said he “forgot” his committee assignment after the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. Records also showed he also missed five of the nine Committee on Public Safety meetings, two Council meetings and one Committee of the Whole meeting, in addition to all 12 meetings of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. 

After that story, Jackson apologized. And his attendance record has also vastly improved.

“I am embarrassed that I did not realize that I was missing meetings,” he said. “I am glad that my absence did not hold up any city business. For the other ones, I should have called in for an excused absence instead of waiting until the last minute to see if my work schedule cleared.”

He added: “Since then, I have been focused on managing my schedule and things are better.”

Caldwell, however, thinks he can provide more “responsive representation” within the 4th Ward. And so does the Chamber of Commerce, which endorsed Caldwell over Jackson alongside the Greater Lansing Association of Realtors, the Ingham County Democratic Party and multiple local labor unions.

“The 4th Ward needs a fresh approach, a new start with real change, where people can see that your elected leadership is accountable to you and recognize that they work for you,” he added.

Caldwell’s priorities include broad political concepts like safety, economic development, a higher quality of life for residents and employees, vibrant neighborhoods and regional collaboration. His mailers also proudly list his phone number, noting that Caldwell is “just a phone call away.”

“Public safety reforms are paramount in improving equity,” he added. “I would use my vote and voice to find common ground among stakeholders, use my relationships at the Capitol and look for best practices and policies that have been effective or have support in other cities. I plan to advocate for local economic development opportunities, protect and enhance neighborhoods, address gun violence and help draft policies that make Lansing a safe place to work and live.”

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