David LaGrand in position to be next Grand Rapids mayor

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — David LaGrand will likely be Grand Rapids' next mayor, with the vote count showing he had a strong lead Tuesday night.

"I'm really gratified that I've gotten all the support that I've gotten in the city. And I think that we've got a path forward to get some work done," he told News 8 at an election night watch party at the Center for Community Transformation in Grand Rapids.

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LaGrand is an attorney, former Grand Rapids school board member and city commissioner, and a former representative in the Michigan House.

Speaking to News 8 last month , he said his priorities included justice and public safety, including a more robust approach to handling police calls involving people with mental health issues; developing the local economy and creating jobs; adding affordable housing, specifically through the creation of a landbank; holding city hall accountable and improving the city's environmental sustainability efforts.

"Everybody wants and deserves a safe city, and so public safety is going to be a chief thing that I want to focus on," LaGrand said Tuesday. "Also, all of us understand there is a real affordability problem for housing in Grand Rapids and there's a lot of work we can do there. Excited to get started on that."

He added he planned to have rolling town hall meetings to hear diverse voices from the community.

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LaGrand's opponent was Senita Lenear, a business owner and former Grand Rapids school board and city commissioner.

Current Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, who is being term-limited out, endorsed LaGrand.

"Rosalynn Bliss' support has been hugely helpful, but more importantly, she's going to keep helping me," LaGrand said. "We've already been meeting. We're going to keep meeting. She's not going anywhere. She's not leaving the city. She's a really smart, thoughtful person, and having her as a support in the years to come is something I'm really looking forward to."