Latest news with #ShaylaFavor
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Meet the three candidates running for Columbus City Council's District 7 seat
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – As three Columbus City Council candidates vie for a chance to face off in the November general election, voters in the city will soon decide who moves forward. Three candidates are competing for the council's District 7 seat, which represents Downtown and most of the city's central neighborhoods. All Columbus voters, not just those who live in District 7, will vote in the nonpartisan race. The primary election will take place on May 6, when residents will have the opportunity to vote for one candidate on the ballot. The top two candidates with the most votes will proceed to the Nov. 4 general election. The District 7 seat opened up when former Councilmember Shayla Favor was elected Franklin County prosecutor. The council voted to appoint Otto Beatty to temporarily fill the seat, and he is not running to keep the position. Those running for the city council seat in the primary election include Kate Curry-Da-Souza, Tiara Ross and Jesse Vogel. Curry-Da-Souza, 43, is a network director with United Way of Central Ohio, a nonprofit focused on addressing poverty and supporting the success of young students. She has worked in the nonprofit industry for about two decades. Curry-Da-Souza grew up in northeast Ohio, before moving to Columbus in 2001. She later went on to complete a bachelor's degree in humanities with an English focus at Ohio State University. 'My husband and I both graduated from colleges here in Columbus and have chosen to make this our long-term forever home,' Curry-Da-Souza said. 'I believe I have the vision and long-term community engagement and connection because I volunteered and worked here for so long to be able to be a great person and representative on Columbus City Council.' A top issue for Curry-Da-Souza is affordability – specifically when it comes to housing, food access and childcare. She discussed the idea of having tiny home neighborhoods to provide affordable housing. 'Some of the ways that I envision being able to make Columbus more affordable is to ensure that we have different levels of housing,' Curry-Da-Souza said. 'So do we have tiny homes nestled into other tiny homes on a lot, so people can have a place to have their garden and have their kids play and elders can have something that's accessible while still living in the neighborhoods that they've already grown to love.' Curry-Da-Souza also said she would like to examine using vacant lots for urban gardens to address food insecurity and explore ways to make childcare more affordable. She believes that her accountability to the community rather than a political party sets her apart in this race, as well as her ability to relate to those struggling with affordability in Columbus. 'We're really focused on having an independent candidate so that all voices are heard downtown on city council,' Curry-Da-Souza said. 'I come at this, having been a student who struggled through college, working multiple jobs as a single parent. I have worked really hard to get where we are, but I recognize how expensive childcare is. I recognize what it's like to need to ride the bus because it's the only form of transportation.' Ross, 37, has been an assistant city attorney for the past seven years. Before working for the city attorney's office, she worked in financial crimes compliance at JPMorgan. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and strategic communication, as well as a Juris Doctorate from Ohio State University. 'Being a native of the city of Columbus and having grown up in some of the very communities that I hope to be so fortunate to serve, allows me to have a really intimate understanding of the community,' Ross said. Ross said the most important issue to her is quality, affordable housing. She said she does not believe there is a single 'silver bullet' to address the issue, but that it needs to be confronted in a number of ways, including ensuring the city is developing enough housing to match its growth. 'As we are thinking about what development looks like, making sure that we are prioritizing affordable housing for people, making sure that when we are looking to develop, we are planful about the areas in which development occurs to make sure that there is appropriate infrastructure that walks alongside development,' Ross said. Other important issues to Ross include creating 'comprehensive solutions' to public safety, through exploring systems such as alternative police response for nonviolent mental health issues. Ross said her prior experience in city government sets her apart from other candidates and would allow her to 'hit the ground running.' She also said she wants to change the fact that there are currently no Black women on city council. 'Having been the one candidate that has worked inside city government for the better half of the last decade offers me the unique opportunity to have already created and established very good relationships with the administration, with members of council, with neighborhood leaders and neighborhood organizations,' Ross said. 'I think representation matters here; who is at the table and what voices are represented at the table. There is a gaping hole right now where there are no Black women that are serving on city council.' Vogel, 32, is an attorney who has spent the past few years representing low-income individuals in Columbus, currently with the nonprofit Community Refugee and Immigration Services. A Columbus native, Vogel holds a bachelor's degree in politics from Oberlin College and a Juris Doctorate from Ohio State University. 'I would be an advocate for people,' Vogel said. 'Frankly, I'm a Democrat, but I want to hold others accountable, including other Democrats, to see how collectively we can do better at making our city work for working people, and I'm ready to be able to get on council and ask some hard questions.' Vogel said a top issue he would like to address is the cost of living in Columbus. Specifically, the prices of rent, property taxes, transportation and childcare. Vogel said he wants to preserve existing affordable housing that is at risk of being sold, as well as build new accessible options. 'I've been an attorney representing renters struggling to stay housed and I think our city needs a stronger strategy to make sure that our public dollars are being invested to build housing that people can actually afford,' Vogel said. 'I'd like to work to feed a revolving fund with some of the affordable housing bonds that our city is raising and use that to target investment in housing for low-income people and working people.' Vogel said he is additionally an advocate for making COTA buses free to use, and that he is interested in working on a property tax relief program for low-income seniors who are at risk of losing their housing. 'I've been an advocate for working people across the city of Columbus and their families for years,' Vogel said. 'I understand the challenges they go through to get housing to get where they need to go and to send their kids to quality school. That's a unique perspective and it's one that I would bring to the city council.' Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on May 6. More information about the city council candidates can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Your guide to the May 6 primary candidates
Local primaries during an off year are historically sleepy affairs, but the May 6 election is bucking that trend. Why it matters: Voters will elect candidates to Columbus' two most significant governing bodies: City Council and the Board of Education. Both nonpartisan races are marked by drama and unusual circumstances. Plus: There's the first Democratic primary for Hilliard City Council in recent history. 🗳️ Early voting is already underway. View the schedule and your sample ballot, and learn about the other issues on the ballot. Columbus City Council Three candidates are running to fill the District 7 seat vacated by new Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor. Zoom in: District 7 covers downtown Columbus, the Short North, Franklinton, German Village and Olde Towne East. In the 2020 census, the district had about 100,000 residents. Between the lines: Council has been previously criticized for appointing " placeholder" candidates to vacant seats who would then run for those seats and benefit from campaigning as incumbents. However, appointee Otto Beatty III is not running in November. The candidates: Kate Curry-Da-Souza, United Way of Central Ohio network director Tiara Ross, Columbus assistant city attorney Jesse Vogel, Community Refugee & Immigration Services staff attorney Friction point: Ross has spent the most time in the news. Political blogger D.J. Byrnes challenged Ross's residency, then reported she drove with a suspended license and $4,000 in unpaid fines and tickets. Ross apologized, paid the bills and reinstated her license. She also proved her eligible residency status. Despite the controversies, all nine council members endorsed Ross. How it works: The two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the Nov. 4 general election. Columbus school board Voters will choose from 10 new faces vying for three seats. Zoom in: That's the most candidates in a decade, per county records, even with three incumbents stepping down — including most-senior members Ramona Reyes and Michael Cole. The top six advance to November. Context: It's an uncertain time for educators at the state and federal level, and there's plenty of tension within the district itself. A controversial plan to consolidate schools is underway, along with negotiations for a new teachers union contract. The board was plagued with infighting last year sparked by secret meetings among some members that state officials recently said violated open records laws. The candidates: Liz Caslin‐Turner, Teresa Hannah, Patrick Katzenmeyer, Jermaine Kennedy, Janeece Keyes-Shanklin, Karrie Lumpkin, Mounir Lynch, Kimberley Mason, Antoinette Miranda and Julie Trabold. The Franklin County Democrats endorsed Kennedy, Katzenmeyer and Miranda. All 10 candidates are Democrats, though Ohio school board races are nonpartisan. Hilliard City Council The Democratic primary features incumbents Tina Cottone and Andy Teater — a former Republican who switched parties — facing off against five newcomers. They are: Samer Bazerbashi, Dorothy Hassan, Tony Moog, Kathy Parker-Jones and Nadia Rasul.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Spectrum: Columbus bishop on immigration; property tax relief
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — This week on the Spectrum: Columbus Diocese Bishop Earl K. Fernandes is pushing for change to immigration policies, saying the current law could cause disruptions for local parishes. Some lawmakers are pushing back on a property tax relief bill at the Ohio Statehouse. Learn how the measure would impact school funding across the state. Franklin County's new prosecutor has marked her first 100 days in office. Learn what changes prosecutor Shayla Favor says will help leaders take a proactive approach to crime prevention. Democratic strategist Morgan Harper and Republican strategist Matt Dole join the all-star roundtable to weigh in on the ideological divide over immigration and whether or not the Trump administration's defiance of a federal court order is a sign of a bigger problem. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The first 100 days of Franklin County prosecutor's time in office
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Wednesday marks 100 days in office for Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor, who said her brief time in office has been transformative for prosecution and community safety. Favor said in these first 100 days, she's been committed to carrying out campaign promises for transparency and accountability, and that includes a restructuring of the criminal division, which now includes units addressing guns, drugs, and arson. Columbus mayor speaks with NBC4 ahead of state of the city address 'You know, I talked a lot about the role that the prosecutor can play in addressing crime in our community in a different way,' Favor said. 'While we are the engine that moves cases forward, I believe that our job extends beyond the courtroom, that we have a responsibility to be an engaged stakeholder. Our office has already been doing that, whether we've been attending various events around the community. We're also hosting our first reentry program. This is reentry month, so we'll be hosting a program alongside another engaged organization in our community.' Favor said the prosecutor's office also has a robust civil division and advises 35 county agencies, many of them dealing with federal budget cuts. She said her office is helping them navigate the significant loss of funding. For more of Favor and her first 100 days in office, tune in to The Spectrum this Sunday at 10 a.m. only on NBC 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Here's what's on Franklin County's primary ballot: Columbus City Council, school board
There are contested races for three seats on the Columbus City Schools Board of Education, and council seats in the Columbus, Hilliard and Whitehall in the May 6 primary election in Franklin County. In addition, the county Board of Elections reports three school districts have bond issues on the ballot and there are levies sought several townships, most for police or fire services. The deadline to file for the May 6 ballot was Wednesday afternoon, and candidates' petition signatures still need to be verified. Here's what could be contested on the primary ballot. Five people are running in a nonpartisan primary to replace Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor on the council and represent District 7, which includes much of Columbus' urban core neighborhoods like Downtown, Franklinton, Olde Towne East, Italian Village and German Village. The District 7 candidates are: Kathryn Curry-Da-Souza, network director of the Success by Third Grade program at the United Way of Central Ohio Aurora Dasan, a former political science student who would be the council's first transgender member Densil R. Porteous, executive director of Stonewall Columbus Tiara Ross, an attorney in the Columbus City Attorney's Office Jesse Vogel, an attorney at Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS) Ohio who's raised over $70,000 in grassroots donations As for the three other council seats on the ballot this fall, Council members Chris Wyche (District 1) and Emmanuel Remy (District 4) and Council President Pro Tempore Rob Dorans (District 3) are facing no challengers. Columbus only holds primaries for city council if more than two people file for a race. Thus, there will only be a primary for District 7. Related news: Columbus City Council appoints Otto Beatty III to District 7 seat vacancy After a series of crises rocked the Columbus City Schools Board of Education, 13 people have filed to run for the three seats on the ballot this year, necessitating a primary. The current holders of the seats, Board President Michael Cole and Board members Christina Vera and Ramona Reyes have decided not to run for reelection. The candidates in the nonpartisan race are: Liz Caslin-Turner Yasmine Farah Teresa Hannah Patrick Katzenmeyer Ivory L. Kennedy, Jr. Jermaine Kennedy Janeece Keyes‐Shanklin Karrie Lumpkin Mounir F. Lynch Kimberley Mason Antoinette Miranda Tracey L. Sigers Julie Trabold Hilliard is one of the few cities in the area that has partisan local elections. Seven Democrats filed to run for the four city council seats on the ballot this year. Four Democrats will advance from the primary. The Democratic candidates are: Samer Bazerbashi Tina Cottone (incumbent) Dorothy Hassan Tony Moog Kathy Parker-Jones Nadia A. Rasul Andy Teater As only three Republicans filed to run for Hilliard City Council, they will not hold a primary. Those candidates are Les Carrier, Jim Martin and Bevan Schneck. They will compete in November against the four winning Democrats for the four council seats. All four members of Whitehall City Council who represent wards are up for election this year. For Wards 1, 3, and 4, two candidates filed for each race. But three candidates filed to run for Ward 2, necessitating a primary from which two will advance. Those candidates are: David F. Coleman Jr. Brian McCann Micole Spicer Three suburban school districts that are partially in Franklin County and partially in neighboring counties are asking for bond issues for facilities construction: Groveport Madison Local School District is asking for 2.33 mills ($82 for each $100,000 of appraised value for 37 years). Jonathan Alder Local School District is asking for 5.12 mills ($179 for each $100,000 of appraised value for 37 years). Teays Valley Local School District is asking for 3.26 mills ($114 for each $100,000 of appraised value for 37 years). There are also multiple townships with levies on the ballot, most of them for police or fire levies. Mifflin Township, however, is asking residents to approve both a police and a fire levy. Here are the issues on the primary ballot: 2025 Primary Questions and Issues Filed by Jordan on Scribd jlaird@ @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus, candidates across Franklin County file for May primary
