Columbus voters approve bond issues, elect Ross
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Columbus voters approved nearly $2 billion in bond issues and named new city council and school board members, per unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections.
Here's what you need to know:
Bond issues
Voters passed a quintet of bond issues totaling $1.9 billion, each receiving at least 64% of the vote.
Follow the money: The five-bond package includes funding for safety, health, infrastructure, parks, public service and utilities.
- It includes $500 million for neighborhood development and affordable housing that the city says will help incentivize three-story walk-up and high-density apartment buildings.
What they're saying: Mayor Andrew Ginther, a proponent of the issues, told Axios ahead of the election that the issues were critical to combat a housing crisis and a way to "create jobs and support basic city services without raising taxes, and invest in infrastructure at the same time."
Context: Columbus leadership continues its ballot hot streak.
- Voters previously approved bond issues supporting housing, infrastructure, utilities and other projects in 2016, 2019 and 2022.
Columbus City Council
In a tight race, voters elected Tiara Ross as their new District 7 representative.
Catch up quick: Ross and Jesse Vogel ran a contentious race in a rare competitive Columbus City Council election for an area that includes downtown, Franklinton, the Short North, German Village and Olde Towne East.
- Ross, a Columbus city prosecutor, was endorsed by Ginther and all nine sitting council members.
By the numbers: With all precincts reporting, Ross edged out Vogel with 51% support — a margin of about 1,500 votes.
What they're saying: Ross tells Axios she never "thought we would win this by a landslide," and is "honored" by her election.
- "In this moment, representation matters, experience matters, record of service matters, and it means that it's important that we have leaders who know what to do day one and understand how to get work done."
Plus: Three unopposed incumbents — Chris Wyche, Rob Dorans and Emmanuel Remy — were reelected.
School board
Voters elected three new names to the Columbus Board of Education.
Winners: Antoinette Miranda, Jermaine Kennedy and Patrick Katzenmeyer.
Losers: Janeece Keyes, Mounir Lynch and Kimberly Mason.
What's next: The new members will join a board with challenges ahead.
- The district faces a $50 million deficit and superintendent Angela Chapman is expected to soon present plans for cuts that will try to make up the difference.