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]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Shammas Malik, city councilor^[3]

Eliminated in primary

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]

Declined

Dan Horrigan, incumbent mayor^[8] (endorsed Sommerville)^[9]

Fundraising

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

Endorsements

Shammas Malik (D)

State legislators

Casey Weinstein, state representative from the 34th district (2019–present)^[15]

Editorial boards

Akron Beacon Journal^[16]
The Plain Dealer^[17]

Organizations

Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund^[18]
People's Action Ohio^[19]
Sierra Club Ohio - Portage Trail Group^[18]
University of Akron College Democrats^[20]

Tara Mosley (D)

Local officials

Michael Williams, former at-large Akron city councilor (1997–2015)^[21]

Individuals

Cornel West, philosopher and honorary chairman of Democratic Socialists of America^[22]

Organizations

Black Elected Officials of Summit County - 20 TBA local officials^[23]
Our Revolution^[24]

Marco Sommerville (D)

U.S. Representatives

Shontel Brown, U.S. Representative from OH-11 (2021–present)^[25]
Tom Sawyer, former U.S. Representative from OH-14 (1987–2003) and former Mayor of Akron (1984–1986)^[17]

Countywide officials

Sherri Bevan Walsh, Summit County Prosecuting Attorney (2001–present)^[25]

Local officials

Ginger Baylor, at-large Akron city councilor (2020–present)^[25]
Jeff Fusco, former acting Mayor of Akron (2015) and at-large Akron City Council (1994–1997, 2010–present)^[25]
David James, former Akron Public Schools Superintendent (2003–2021)^[25]
Dan Horrigan, outgoing Mayor of Akron (2016–present)^[9]
Phil Lombardo, Akron city councilor from ward 2 (2020–present)^[25]
Brad McKitrick, Akron city councilor from ward 6 (2020–present)^[25]
Don Plusquellic, former Mayor of Akron (1987–2015)^[17]
Margo Sommerville, Akron city council president from ward 3 (2013–present) (his daughter)^[25]

Labor unions

Teamsters Local 348^[25]
Ohio AFL-CIO^[17]
Tri-County Building & Construction Trades Council^[17]

Declined to endorse

Local officials

Nancy Holland, Akron city councilor from ward 1 (2021–present)^[25]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Greer	Malik	Mills	Mosley	Schaffer	Somerville	Wilhite	Other	Undecided
Center for Media & Opinion Research^[b]	March 27 – April 2, 2023	400 (LV)	± 5.0%	3%	18%	3%	15%	5%	17%	6%	–	33%
Center for Media & Opinion Research^[c]	January 17 – February 4, 2023	510 (A)	± 4.3%	–	8%	–	7%	3%	12%	4%	2%	66%

Results

2023 Akron mayoral Democratic primary^[26]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Shammas Malik	8,303	43.15
	Democratic	Marco Sommerville	4,944	25.70
	Democratic	Tara Mosley	3,361	17.47
	Democratic	Jeff Wilhite	1,549	8.05
	Democratic	Mark Greer	816	4.24
	Democratic	Keith Mills	143	0.74
	Democratic	Joshua Schaffer	124	0.64
Total votes			19,240	100.00

Republican primary

Disqualified

Jim Isabella, former WNIR talk show host^[27]^[28]

Independents

Certified

Nathaniel Green (write-in)^[29]

General election

Results

2023 Akron mayoral election^[30]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Shammas Malik	36,629	95.72
	Write-in		1,638	4.28
	write-in	Nathaniel Green	172	0.45
Invalid or blank votes			1,466	3.83
Total votes			38,267	100

References

^ 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.

Notes

^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
^ This poll was sponsored by Akron Beacon Journal, Ideastream Public Media, and the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron
^ This poll was sponsored by The Akron Press Club, the Ohio Debate Commission, the Ray C. Bliss Institute for Applied Politics at the University of Akron, the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, State and Federal Communications, and the United Way of Summit & Medina

External links

Official campaign websites

This Ohio elections-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[1] Esparra, Lydia (May 3, 2023). "Who is Shammas Malik? Get to know Akron's presumptive next mayor". WKYC. Retrieved May 5, 2023.

[2] Esparra, Lydia (November 7, 2023). "Ward 8 councilman Shammas Malik officially elected Akron mayor". WKYC. Retrieved November 8, 2023.

[3] "Akron City Councilman Shammas Malik will run for mayor in 2023". Ideastream Public Media. September 22, 2022.

[want-4] 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.

[5] Conn, Jennifer (December 1, 2022). "Akron City Councilwoman Tara Mosley announces she will run for mayor in 2023". Spectrum News 1.

[6] DeNatale, Dave "Dino" (October 5, 2022). "Marco Sommerville to run for mayor of Akron after Dan Horrigan declines to seek 3rd term". WKYC.

[7] 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.

[8] Becka, Megan (October 4, 2022). "Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan will not seek re-election in 2023". cleveland.

[horrigan-9] Livingston, Doug; Marshall, Abbey (October 7, 2022). "Marco Sommerville announces Akron mayoral campaign, gets Mayor Dan Horrigan's endorsement". Akron Beacon Journal.

[10] "Shammas Malik 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report".

[11] "Keith Mills 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report".

[12] "Tara Mosley 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report".

[13] "Marco Sommerville 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report".

[14] "Jeff Wilhite 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report".

[15] "Final fundraiser to support Shammas Malik for Mayor! Tue Apr 25, 2023". All Events in Akron. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[16] "Endorsement: Shammas Malik offers a bold new approach for Akron". Akron Beacon Journal. April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[clevelanddot-17] "Shammas Malik for Akron mayor in the Democratic primary: endorsement editorial". Cleveland.com. April 23, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[voice-18] "Voice of the People: Support for Sommerville, Malik for Akron mayor". April 23, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[19] "Ohio Citizen Action Endorses Shammas Malik". Ohio Citizen Action. March 20, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[20] "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.

[21] "Former Councilmember supports Mosley for mayor". Akron.com. April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[22] "Dr Cornel West Supports Tara Mosley for Mayor". YouTube. Studio One23 Productions. April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[23] "BEOSC Fundraiser for Tara Mosley for Mayor 04/25". EventBrite. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[24] 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.

[sommervilleendo-25] ^ ^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.

[29] "May 2, 2023 Primary/Special Election". Summit County Board of Elections. Retrieved May 5, 2023.

[30] Livingston, Doug (January 17, 2023). "Former WNIR conservative talk show host Jim Isabella mounts campaign for Akron mayor". Akron Beacon Journal.

[31] Huntsman, Anna (February 13, 2023). "Seven Democrats are running for Akron mayor, but sole Republican fails to make the ballot". Ideastream Public Media.

[32] "Certified Candidate List" (PDF). September 23, 2023.

[33] "Official Write-in Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 30, 2023.

[Key-26] Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[27] This poll was sponsored by Akron Beacon Journal, Ideastream Public Media, and the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron

[28] This poll was sponsored by The Akron Press Club, the Ohio Debate Commission, the Ray C. Bliss Institute for Applied Politics at the University of Akron, the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, State and Federal Communications, and the United Way of Summit & Medina

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2023 Akron mayoral election

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Fundraising

Endorsements

Polling

Results

Republican primary

Disqualified

Independents

Certified

General election

Results

References

Notes

External links

€4.95