#GOPCThread: Election 2021 Brings New Leadership to Ohio Legacy Cities

This week, we are devoting our #GOPCThread to a recap of election results from across the Buckeye State as Ohio voters went to the polls this past Tuesday to vote in municipal and local elections.

Not on Twitter? The Thread is available online, as well as below.


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Tuesday’s municipal elections included a number of contests that will bring new leadership to a number of Ohio’s legacy cities as well as two of Ohio’s largest #GOPCThread

There were also a few smart growth-related ballot issues that we were excited to see get approved by local voters. This week’s #GOPCThread provides a rundown of the results and a look at who will be leading Ohio’s cities in the coming years.

Statewide Elections Results | cleveland.com Click Image for Link

After Mayor @FrankJacksonCLE’s 16 years in office, Cleveland will be experiencing a changing of the guard with the election of @BibbForCLE, who defeated @kevinkelleyCLE. Bibb, 34, becomes the second-youngest mayor in the city’s history #GOPCThread

Justin Bibb Wins Cleveland Mayoral Election in Dominating Fashion | cleveland.com Click Image for Link

Most incumbent members of @CleCityCouncil will be returning to office, however there will be several new faces, including Deborah Gray (W-4), @VoteRich_Starr (W-5), @stephaniehowse (W-7), @rebecca__maurer (W-12) and @KrisHarsh (W-13)

Cleveland City Council Incumbents Fall to Challengers in General Election | cleveland.com Click Image for Link)

.@AftabPureval was elected by a wide margin to replace @JohnCranley as Mayor of Cincinnati. Mayor Cranley served for 8 years and was not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits. Pureval defeated longtime councilman @mannforcincy #GOPCThread

Aftab Pureval to be Next Mayor of Cincinnati | Cincinnati Enquirer Click Image for Link

It was a crowded field of 35 running for 9 @CityOfCincy Council seats. Only 3 incumbents were returned, with 6 newcomers, including @ReggieForCincy, @meekaowens1, @Victoria4Cincy, @ScottyJohnson55, @Jcramerding & @jeffreysms winning terms #GOPCThread

Cincinnati City Council Candidates: Here’s Who’s Winning | Cincinnati Enquirer Click Image for Link

In Dayton, @JeffreyJMimsJr2, will succeed @nanwhaley, who chose not to run for re-election, as Mayor. Mims previously served as a city commissioner, a representative of the state school board, & president of the city school board

Mims Declares Victory in Dayton Mayor’s Race | Dayton 24/7 Now Click Image for Link

For the Dayton City Commission, @turnersloss was elected to succeed Mayor-elect Mims. Incumbent Commissioner @darrylfair was re-elected to a new four year term #GOPCThread

Turner-Sloss and Fairchild Elected to Dayton City Commission | Dayton 24/7 Now Click Image for Link

Mayor @wadekaps successfully secured a second term as mayor of Toledo. He had been challenged by former Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, who failed in what would have been his 3rd time as Mayor of the glass city (mayor from 1994-2002 & 2006-2010).

Kapszukiewicz Says Toledoans Voted for Future | Toledo Blade Click Image for Link

Toledo will see the return of former councilman George Sarantou, joined by newcomer @michelegrim on city council next year, joined by 4 incumbent who retained their at-large seats

Four Incumbents, One Former Councilman and A First Time Candidate Win Toledo City Council Seats | Toledo Blade Click Image for Link

Voters in Lucas County also decided the fate of @TARTA_Toledo’s proposal to switch from a property tax-funded transit system to one that is funded via a sales tax piggy-back. The proposal was approved with about 55% of the vote. 

TARTA-Lucas County Proposal Approved by Voters | Toledo Blade Click Image for Link

In Youngstown, Mayor @YtownTitoBrown won a second term as mayor, defeating rivals Tracey Winbush and Richard Vincent Hill. Also elected in Youngstown was Tom Hetrick as City Council President. (Tom is an alum of @YoungstownNDC, one of our favorite orgs)

Mayor Brown Wins Re-Election with 60% of Youngstown Vote | Business Journal Daily Click Image for Link

One of Ohio’s longest serving Mayors decided last year to retire. In 2022, @mayor_berger will be passing the baton to @sharettaforlima, who won with about 54% of the vote. Smith becomes the first black & first woman, to lead the @CityofLimaOH

Smith Takes Early Lead in Lima Mayoral Race | limaohio.com Click Image for Link

Another small legacy city held mayoral elections. Mayor Pat Moeller won a fourth term as mayor of Hamilton. On City Council, @MichaelRyan316 & @TimothyNaab were re-elected to new terms, and joined by newcomer William Joel Lauer.

Early Results Show Naab in Lead | Hamilton News Journal Click Image for Link

Xenia mayor Sarah Mays won reelection on Tuesday, as did council members Levi Dean and William Urschel. Council President Wesley Smith was also reelected for an unexpired term.

Election Results Mixed Results for Incumbents | Xenia Gazette Click Image for Link

In Portsmouth’s city council races, Sean Dunne won reelection, while newcomers Andy Cole and Joey Sandlin won their competitive races.

In Columbus, City Council President @SG_Hardin has retained his seat and will be welcoming 2 new members to the city’s legislative body. @NickBankston & @loubar76 won the most votes in the city-wide vote and will join council next year.

Dems Sweep Three City Council Seats | Columbus Dispatch Click Image for Link

The @ohiomayors has a great resource that tracks when municipal elections will occur and who the current candidates are.

Election Center | Ohio Mayors Alliance Click Image for Link

That wraps-up this weeks #GOPCThread. Congratulations to all of the winners in races across the state of Ohio. Now, the hard work begins