Akron’s May Primary: Here’s Who’s Running

The city of Akron will hold its primary election in May, for the first time in decades.

Last November, Akron voters approved a move from a September primary to May. Holding the primary in May enables the Summit County Board of Elections enough time between elections to comply with federal and state law, which mandates the BOE provide military and overseas voters with ballots 45 days before an election - for both primary and general elections.

In Akron, all 10 city council members and the mayor are hoping to keep their seats when voters head to the polls. The primary is May 7 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Look up your polling location here.

Here’s who’s running in Akron.  We asked each candidate to submit some basic biographical information.  If there is no information listed below for a specific candidate, that means they have not yet responded to our request.

Mayor

Daniel Horrigan ( incumbent) (D) – Akron

Greg Harrison (D) – Akron

Josh Sines (R) – Akron

Akron City Council At-large

Ginger Baylor (D) Akron

Cynthia Blake (R) Akron

Jeff Fusco ( incumbent) (D) Akron

Marilyn L. Keith ( incumbent) (D) Akron

Monica McNatt (R) Akron

Osita Obierika (R) Akron

Linda Omobien ( incumbent) (D) Akron

LaMont Porter (R) Akron

Veronica Sims ( incumbent) (D) Akron

Henry Todd (R) Akron

Akron City Council Wards

Click on the map above to get more details on Akron's City Council ward races

Akron - Ward 1

Brenda Rongone Costarella (R) Akron

Rich Swirsky ( incumbent) (D) Akron

Akron - Ward 2

Bruce Kilby ( incumbent) (D) Akron

Todd Kleintop (R) Akron

Phil Lombardo (D) Akron

• Age: 56
• Occupation: Accountant
• Neighborhood: North Hill
• Previous experience as an elected officeholder: This is my first run for political office. I have been involved for over 30 years though in the community serving as Treasurer on boards for the Knights of Columbus, North Akron Baseball, STVM Booster Club and Alumni Association, and two different elementary schools on North Hill.
• Why are you running? They say while you cannot control the winds, you can adjust the sails. Ward 2 needs their ship sailing in a totally different direction. The landscape has changed in Ward 2. The people have changed, the language has changed and the culture has changed. I am just the guy to captain the ship into a land of better communication, prosperity, opportunity. I believe in Akron, and I believe we need to work with the community to make everyone feel welcome to live here, work here, send their kids to school here, and raise their family here. The residents of Ward 2 will soon know that when I am up to bat for them, I will not be looking for a single - I will be swinging for the fences!

Akron – Ward 3

Michael Downey (R) Akron

Margo Sommerville ( incumbent) (D) Akron

Akron – Ward 4

Janice O. Davis (D) Akron

• Age: 65
• Occupation: Retired
• Neighborhood: Ward 4
• Previous experience as an elected officeholder: None
• Why are you running? Assist ward residents and leadership in building a better Akron.

Russel C. Neal Jr. ( incumbent) (D) Akron

Akron – Ward 5

Johnnie Hannah (D) Akron

Tara L. Mosley Samples ( incumbent) (D) Akron

• Age: 48
• Occupation: Councilwoman
• Neighborhood: North side district
• Previous experience as an elected officeholder: I am currently on City Council
• Why are you running? Because I love to serve the residents of ward 5

Akron – Ward 6

Bob Hoch ( incumbent) (D) Akron

• Age: 69
• Occupation: Akron City Council Ward 6 Representative
• Neighborhood: Ellet
• Previous experience as an elected officeholder: This is my 8th year on Akron City Council
• Why are you running? I like the what I am doing for the residents of Ward 6 and the City of Akron. I want to continue to be a part of the new changes coming to our city and help with our city to grow and be successful. I worked for Acme Stores for over 37 years taking care of customers. The residents of Ward 6 are my customers.

Michael Modonio (D) Akron

Brad McKitrick (D) Akron

• Age: 61
• Occupation: Retired Akron Fire Fighter
• Neighborhood: Ellet
• Previous experience as an elected officeholder: I was elected in precinct 6M as our precinct committee person 3 years ago. And I was chosen to be the Stering Committee Chair for Ward 6.
• Why are you running? I want to improve issues in our Ward that we all encounter on a daily basis. From having fire damaged houses torn down that have been left standing well over a year to having bushes cut back which hinder visibility at an intersection. Our road conditions need addressed along with how we remove snow. I will work for all of Ward 6 not just more popular areas.  I worked 33 years for Akron Fire. I know Ward 6 and the rest of the city in a way most people have never seen. 21 of my years with AFD I was assigned to the Fire Investigation Unit. I worked regularly with Police, Law, Building and Human Resource Departments. I also worked with our courts and school district. Many times I testified before our Civil Service Commission. All of these interactions give me experience within the workings of our city administration. I will be a councilman who is available, approachable and will follow through. People need someone they can depend on.

Jaclyn Marie Williams (R) Akron

Akron – Ward 7

Tammy Cummings (D) Akron

Donnie Kammer ( incumbent) (D) Akron

Akron – Ward 8

Gregory P. Dunham (R) Akron

• Age: 67
• Occupation: retired from an accounting career
• Neighborhood: Fairlawn Heights
• Previous experience as an elected officeholder: none
• Why are you running? Give voters a choice of a candidate with accounting and financial background

Brian N. Fortney (R) Akron

• Age: 40
• Occupation: Global Product Manager, Rockwell Automation
• Neighborhood: Fairlawn Heights
• Previous experience as an elected officeholder: I’ve not served in a Municipal elected official role previously.
• Why are you running? To work hard together with the people of Akron I admire. We are going to: 1. Fix our roads 2. Improve our schools 3. Strengthen our Police and safety forces. These actions will increase home values and attract new families and business to the Akron community. With over 20 years of experience in business, economic development, workforce development, and communications I’ll bring the ability to ask different questions and drive growth for our city. Akron’s best days lay ahead. Working hard together we can reach Akron’s golden years faster.

Shammas Malik (D) Akron

• Age: 28
• Occupation: Attorney
• Neighborhood: Merriman Valley
• Previous experience as an elected officeholder: None
• Why are you running? I'm running for Akron City Council in Ward 8 to make an impact in the neighborhood that made an impact on me. I grew up here, and Firestone High School and the IB program allowed me to get a scholarship to Ohio State and go on to law school. After graduation, I moved home and spent the last two years as an attorney for the City of Akron. I had a chance to work with every city department and work on legislation with city councilmembers. If elected, I hope to bring that experience to City Council, as well as a younger perspective that I think would be valuable.

Curtis T. Walker Sr. (D) Akron

• Age:61
• Occupation: Pastor, Beth -El African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
• Neighborhood: West Akron
• Previous experience as an elected officeholder: I have been on the Akron School Board for almost twenty years. I have been President four times . I am currently Board President.
• Why are you running? I am running to advocate for Ward 8. For improved communications, city services, economic development, better streets,  reduce crime and sewer rates. I am also running to improve the relationships on Council and to agree where we can but not be disagreeable .

Akron – Ward 9

Mike Freeman ( incumbent) (D) Akron

Akron – Ward 10

Amy Allen (R) Akron

Sharon L. Connor (D) Akron

• Age: 61
• Occupation: Clerical Assistant at Akron Public Schools
• Neighborhood: Goodyear Heights
• Previous experience as an elected officeholder: none
• Why are you running? The year was 1997 and the neighborhood where I was raising my children was beginning to change. I didn’t want my community to miss out on city-wide opportunities and I began to think how I could be involved when there was little downtown representation. It was then that I became a community advocate and found my passion for civic leadership. I went on to join the neighborhood non-profit organization R.I.G.H.T. and I dedicated my time and energy to being the voice for all families between Six Corners and Market St. Since then I have been a champion for Ward 10. From organizing activities and community events, to monument restoration and public art works. I am proud of the work I have done over the past 20 years. I have lived with a childhood disability my entire life. I have had to overcome many personal obstacles which have never prevented me from working hard to do good works. Now it’s time to take that determination and perseverance to the halls of downtown. I believe in Goodyear Heights and I ask you to believe in me.

Jack Hefner (D) Akron

• Age: 65
• Occupation: Maxion Wheels- USW Local 2 President
• Neighborhood: Goodyear Heights
• Previous experience as an elected officeholder: I had the Ward 10 Councilmans job for 6 months When Gary Moneypenny left.
• Why are you running? Ward 10 residents have not been represented for the last 3 yrs. I did better and will do better.

Zack Milkovich ( incumbent) (D) Akron

Editor's note: This information will be added to as we acquire it in the weeks leading up to the primary election. 

Copyright 2019 WKSU. To see more, visit WKSU.