Columbus Board of Education: Jennifer Adair

Jennifer Adair, 39, was appointed to the Columbus City Schools Board of Education in January 2019. An attorney in state government, she talks about how she is approaching her board responsibilities and hopes to make an impact by strengthening board policies. She also discusses her work with the Nor…

Columbus Board of Education: Eric Brown

Eric Brown, 66, is seeking re-election to a seat he first won in 2015. A former judge on multiple courts, he discusses the importance of reaching consensus since school board members have no individual authority and must act in concert. Hear him describe his efforts to help the board focus on setti…

Columbus Board of Education: Kimberley Mason

Kimberley Mason, 33, is a parent and PTO leader who is seeking her first elective position. She explains how her campaign is fueled in part by what she perceives is a lack of community engagement by the school board and talks about the need to help students explore a variety of career choices.

Columbus Board of Education: Tina Pierce

Tina Pierce, 40, is making her second run for school board. Listen to her discuss the changes she would like to see implemented, such as introducing technology earlier so that students are empowered as creators, not just users of tech tools. She also explains how her background as a college instruc…

Columbus Board of Education: Carol Beckerle

Carol Beckerle, 58, is seeking a school board seat to offer a teacher’s perspective on issues including standardized tests and how to scale up teaching approaches that produce positive results. Listen as she discusses her background as a corporate attorney who transitioned to a career as a special …

Columbus Board of Education: James Ragland

James Ragland, 44, is unopposed in his quest for election to the unexpired term to which he was appointed in December 2018. He talks about his pathway to appointment and his views on issues facing the board, including property tax abatements and the future of the board-owned radio station, WCBE.

Columbus City Council: Emmanuel Remy

Emmanuel Remy, 47, was appointed to council in January 2018 and is on the ballot for the first time. He is a realtor who gained experience in neighborhood development in the Northland community. Hear him talk about what he learned from that work, his thoughts on the next Columbus police chief and h…

Columbus City Council: Elizabeth Brown

Elizabeth Brown, 35 is the only candidate for Columbus City Council this year who is seeking re-election, having first been voted onto council in 2015. Listen as she discusses issues including tax incentives, the value of a $15-an-hour minimum wage, Columbus’ progress on being a Smart City and affo…

Columbus City Council: Shayla Favor

Shayla Favor, 38, is in her first year on council and is facing voters for the first time, but she is well-versed in zoning enforcement issues from her seven years in the city attorney’s office. She discusses her views on housing, transportation and the city’s use of tax incentives, among other thi…

Columbus City Council: Rob Dorans

Rob Dorans, 33, is the city’s newest council member, having been appointed to his seat in late February. He talks with The Dispatch about his concern for struggling families, his background with organized labor, the need for more density in local housing and how he views himself as “a details guy.”