By Larry Arreguin | LPL News Wire | January 5, 2026

LANSING, MI — The Lansing City Council convened Monday evening as a Committee of the Whole, hosting a ceremonial swearing-in recognizing newly elected councilmembers Clara Martinez and Dr. Deyanira Nevarez Martinez. Although both officials were formally sworn into office on January 1, 2026, the ceremony provided a public acknowledgment of their election and the historic significance of the moment.

During the Committee of the Whole meeting, City Clerk Chris Swope accepted nominations for council leadership. At-large councilmember Trini Pehlivanoglu nominated Peter Spadafore for Council President, citing his leadership experience, institutional knowledge, and commitment to Lansing residents. Third Ward councilmember Adam Hussain nominated former president Ryan Kost.

A 6–2 vote within the Committee of the Whole signaled council support for Spadafore as Council President. During that same meeting, Spadafore nominated Pehlivanoglu for Vice President, and with no additional nominations, she was elected by voice vote.

The leadership selections and actions taken during the Committee of the Whole were formally ratified later that evening at the regular 7:00 p.m. Lansing City Council meeting.

Prior to the ceremonial swearing-in, members of the public addressed the council, including Lupe Ramos-Montigny, who congratulated the two newest members and expressed pride in the election of two Latinas.

With Pehlivanoglu, Martinez, Nevarez Martinez, and Jeremy A. Garza now serving, Latinos hold four of the council’s eight seats—50 percent of the governing body, including the vice presidency. For a city of more than 114,000 residents and the sixth largest in Michigan, the meeting marked a defining civic milestone and reflected the growing influence of Latino leadership in Lansing.