Neuner advances to general election for Lansing City Council race

Rory Neuner, the out lesbian candidate who garnered national attention last month, finished third in her primary Tuesday night, making her one of four candidates to advance to the general election.

Neuner was profiled in the national LGBT magazine The Advocate last month as a rising star politically. She is also one of a growing number of out politicians seeking office in the state and the U.S.

In the race, she came in behind council incumbents Carol Wood and Derrick Quinney, but ahead of Tom Stewart. Those four will advance to the general election, while candidate John Krohn is out of the race.

Voters in Lansing will elect two at-large council members. Those members represent the entire city. Voters will also select a candidate in the third ward, where another openly gay candidate, Jason Wilkes, will stand against current City Council President A’Lynne Robinson. Voters in the city’s first ward will chose between former state representative Lynne Martinez and Department of Corrections employee Jody Washington. Meanwhile, candidates Harold Leeman, Joe Manzella, Sarah Surface-Evans and Philip Damico are out of that race.