2023 Akron mayoral election
The 2023 Akron mayoral election was held on November 7, 2023, to elect the mayor of Akron, Ohio . Party primaries were held on May 2. Incumbent Democratic mayor Dan Horrigan chose not to seek re-election to a third term in office.
In the Democratic primary, Ward 8 city councilor Shammas Malik won the nomination, prevailing in a field of seven candidates. Because the sole Republican candidate was disqualified, Malik was considered the presumptive next mayor of Akron.[ 1] Malik was the only candidate on the ballot, as the only other person who qualified for the race was write-in candidate Nathaniel Green. He defeated Green with 95.72% of the vote.[ 2]
Eliminated in primary [ edit ]
Mark Greer, former Akron Small Business Program Manager[ 4]
Keith Mills, teacher[ 4]
Tara Mosley, city councilor and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Ohio in 2018 [ 5]
Joshua Schaffer, cellphone store manager[ 4]
Marco Sommerville, deputy mayor for intergovernmental affairs[ 6]
Jeff Wilhite, Summit County councilor[ 7]
Some candidates have not filed campaign finance disclosures. Those who have are listed below:
Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2023
Candidate
Contributions
Expenditures
Cash on hand
Shammas Malik[ 10]
$49,728
$56,472
$156,512
Keith Mills[ 11]
$100
$0
$15,000
Tara Mosley[ 12]
$9,501
$3,773
$10,506
Marco Sommerville[ 13]
$63,375
$6,709
$88,375
Jeff Wilhite[ 14]
$4,250
$4,590
$872
Shammas Malik (D)
State legislators
Editorial boards
Organizations
Tara Mosley (D)
Local officials
Michael Williams, former at-large Akron city councilor (1997–2015)[ 21]
Individuals
Organizations
Marco Sommerville (D)
U.S. Representatives
Countywide officials
Local officials
Labor unions
Declined to endorse
Local officials
Nancy Holland, Akron city councilor from ward 1 (2021–present)[ 25]
Nathaniel Green (write-in)[ 29]
^ Esparra, Lydia (May 3, 2023). "Who is Shammas Malik? Get to know Akron's presumptive next mayor" . WKYC . Retrieved May 5, 2023 .
^ Esparra, Lydia (November 7, 2023). "Ward 8 councilman Shammas Malik officially elected Akron mayor" . WKYC . Retrieved November 8, 2023 .
^ "Akron City Councilman Shammas Malik will run for mayor in 2023" . Ideastream Public Media . September 22, 2022.
^ a b c Livingston, Doug (April 10, 2023). "These eight people want to be the next mayor of Akron. See who has filed to run for office" . Akron Beacon Journal .
^ Conn, Jennifer (December 1, 2022). "Akron City Councilwoman Tara Mosley announces she will run for mayor in 2023" . Spectrum News 1 .
^ DeNatale, Dave "Dino" (October 5, 2022). "Marco Sommerville to run for mayor of Akron after Dan Horrigan declines to seek 3rd term" . WKYC .
^ Livingston, Dan (October 5, 2022). "County Councilman Jeff Wilhite launches 'full-bore' campaign for Akron's open mayor race" . Akron Beacon Journal . Retrieved April 23, 2023 .
^ Becka, Megan (October 4, 2022). "Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan will not seek re-election in 2023" . cleveland .
^ a b Livingston, Doug; Marshall, Abbey (October 7, 2022). "Marco Sommerville announces Akron mayoral campaign, gets Mayor Dan Horrigan's endorsement" . Akron Beacon Journal .
^ "Shammas Malik 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report" .
^ "Keith Mills 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report" .
^ "Tara Mosley 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report" .
^ "Marco Sommerville 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report" .
^ "Jeff Wilhite 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report" .
^ "Final fundraiser to support Shammas Malik for Mayor! Tue Apr 25, 2023" . All Events in Akron . Retrieved April 23, 2023 .
^ "Endorsement: Shammas Malik offers a bold new approach for Akron" . Akron Beacon Journal . April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023 .
^ a b c d e "Shammas Malik for Akron mayor in the Democratic primary: endorsement editorial" . Cleveland.com . April 23, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023 .
^ a b "Voice of the People: Support for Sommerville, Malik for Akron mayor" . April 23, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023 .
^ "Ohio Citizen Action Endorses Shammas Malik" . Ohio Citizen Action . March 20, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023 .
^ "FROM THE DESK OF AARON UHL: We here at the UA College Dems are proud to endorse @shammasmalik for Akron Mayor!" . Twitter . UAkron College Dems (@CollegeDemsUA). April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023 .
^ "Former Councilmember supports Mosley for mayor" . Akron.com . April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023 .
^ "Dr Cornel West Supports Tara Mosley for Mayor" . YouTube . Studio One23 Productions. April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023 .
^ "BEOSC Fundraiser for Tara Mosley for Mayor 04/25" . EventBrite . Retrieved April 23, 2023 .
^ Our Revolution (@OurRevolution) (February 15, 2023). "We are proud to endorse @TaraLMosley for Mayor of #Akron Ohio! Tara is a progressive leader who will fight for the change that the working class of Akron needs. Let's build local power" . Twitter . Retrieved April 23, 2023 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j Livingston, Doug (April 23, 2023). "Two on campaign mailer say they actually aren't endorsing Marco Sommerville for Akron mayor" . Akron Beacon Journal . Retrieved April 23, 2023 .
^ "May 2, 2023 Primary/Special Election" . Summit County Board of Elections. Retrieved May 5, 2023 .
^ Livingston, Doug (January 17, 2023). "Former WNIR conservative talk show host Jim Isabella mounts campaign for Akron mayor" . Akron Beacon Journal .
^ Huntsman, Anna (February 13, 2023). "Seven Democrats are running for Akron mayor, but sole Republican fails to make the ballot" . Ideastream Public Media .
^ "Certified Candidate List" (PDF) . September 23, 2023.
^ "Official Write-in Results" (PDF) . Retrieved November 30, 2023 .
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