2023 Akron mayoral election

{{Infobox election

| election_date = November 7, 2023

| election_name = 2023 Akron mayoral election

| flag_image =

| ongoing = no

| type = presidential

| previous_election = 2019 Akron, Ohio mayoral election

| previous_year = 2019

| next_election = 2027 Akron, Ohio mayoral election

| next_year = 2027

| nominee1 = Shammas Malik

| party1 = Democratic Party (US)

| popular_vote1 = 36,629

| percentage1 = 95.72%

| image1 = MayorElectMalikNov2023.jpg

| title = Mayor

| before_election = Dan Horrigan

| before_party = Democratic Party (US)

| after_election = Shammas Malik

| after_party = Democratic Party (US)

}}

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.{{cite news |title=Who is Shammas Malik? Get to know Akron's presumptive next mayor |work=WKYC |first=Lydia |last=Esparra |date=May 3, 2023 |access-date=May 5, 2023 |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/akron/get-to-know-shammas-malik-akron-presumptive-next-mayor/95-8b4cea9e-b4ae-4c46-bb40-a093d320ef47}} 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.{{cite news |title=Ward 8 councilman Shammas Malik officially elected Akron mayor |work=WKYC |first=Lydia |last=Esparra |date=November 7, 2023 |access-date=November 8, 2023 |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/akron/shammas-malik-elected-akron-mayor/95-a9d88f65-2742-4a7d-85f8-bb976649a141}}

Democratic primary

= Candidates =

== Nominee ==

Shammas Malik, city councilor{{cite news |url=https://www.ideastream.org/news/government-politics/2022-09-22/akron-city-councilman-shammas-malik-will-run-for-mayor-in-2023 |title=Akron City Councilman Shammas Malik will run for mayor in 2023 |date=2022-09-22 |website=Ideastream Public Media |language=en-US}}

== Eliminated in primary ==

Mark Greer, former Akron Small Business Program Manager{{cite news |last=Livingston |first=Doug |date=2023-04-10 |title=These eight people want to be the next mayor of Akron. See who has filed to run for office |work=Akron Beacon Journal |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/01/7-democrats-1-republican-file-to-run-for-akron-mayor-in-2023-election/69859625007/}}
Keith Mills, teacher
Tara Mosley, city councilor and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Ohio in 2018{{cite news |last=Conn |first=Jennifer |date=2022-12-01 |title=Akron City Councilwoman Tara Mosley announces she will run for mayor in 2023 |work=Spectrum News 1 |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2022/12/01/akron-city-councilwoman-tara-mosley-will-run-for-mayor}}
Joshua Schaffer, cellphone store manager
Marco Sommerville, deputy mayor for intergovernmental affairs{{cite news |last=DeNatale |first=Dave "Dino" |date=2022-10-05 |title=Marco Sommerville to run for mayor of Akron after Dan Horrigan declines to seek 3rd term |website=WKYC |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/akron/marco-sommerville-announces-candidacy-mayor-of-akron-after-dan-horrigan-declines-3rd-term/95-cd44a58c-fe76-4302-82e8-0084b2e12072}}
Jeff Wilhite, Summit County councilor{{Cite web |last=Livingston |first=Dan |date=2022-10-05 |title=County Councilman Jeff Wilhite launches 'full-bore' campaign for Akron's open mayor race |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/politics/2022/10/05/summit-county-councilman-jeff-wilhite-is-running-for-akron-mayor-race-candidates/69541352007/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Akron Beacon Journal |language=en-US}}

== Declined ==

Dan Horrigan, incumbent mayor{{Cite web |last=Becka |first=Megan |date=2022-10-04 |title=Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan will not seek re-election in 2023 |url=https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2022/10/akron-mayor-dan-horrigan-will-not-seek-re-election-in-2023.html |access-date= |website=cleveland |language=en}} (endorsed Sommerville){{cite news |last1=Livingston |first1=Doug |last2=Marshall |first2=Abbey |date=2022-10-07 |title=Marco Sommerville announces Akron mayoral campaign, gets Mayor Dan Horrigan's endorsement |work=Akron Beacon Journal |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2022/10/05/deputy-mayor-marco-sommerville-announces-mayoral-campaign/69540730007/}}

= Fundraising =

Some candidates have not filed campaign finance disclosures. Those who have are listed below:

class="wikitable sortable"
colspan="4" \|Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2023
style="text-align:center;" !Candidate !Contributions !Expenditures !Cash on hand
Shammas Malik{{cite web \|url=https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/summit/finished.aspx?request=f3wwnz302jtyxieygsu2plp4 \|title=Shammas Malik 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report}} \| align="center" \|$49,728 \| align="center" \|$56,472 \| align="center" \|$156,512
Keith Mills{{cite web \|url=https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/summit/finished.aspx?request=5aukpodzqo3jqg2fumznkasc \|title=Keith Mills 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report}} \| align="center" \|$100 \| align="center" \|$0 \| align="center" \|$15,000
Tara Mosley{{cite web \|url=https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/summit/finished.aspx?request=vgmspuy1epojxzgwd2sggz54 \|title=Tara Mosley 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report}} \| align="center" \|$9,501 \| align="center" \|$3,773 \| align="center" \|$10,506
Marco Sommerville{{cite web \|url=https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/summit/finished.aspx?request=u2n4ivzjqizvovgovdptjifa \|title=Marco Sommerville 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report}} \| align="center" \|$63,375 \| align="center" \|$6,709 \| align="center" \|$88,375
Jeff Wilhite{{cite web \|url=https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/summit/finished.aspx?request=r2j5saresgy2y3qzt133rvid \|title=Jeff Wilhite 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report}} \| align="center" \|$4,250 \| align="center" \|$4,590 \| align="center" \|$872

class="wikitable sortable"

colspan="4" |Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2023

style="text-align:center;"

!Candidate

!Contributions

!Expenditures

!Cash on hand

Shammas Malik{{cite web |url=https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/summit/finished.aspx?request=f3wwnz302jtyxieygsu2plp4 |title=Shammas Malik 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report}}

| align="center" |$49,728

| align="center" |$56,472

| align="center" |$156,512

Keith Mills{{cite web |url=https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/summit/finished.aspx?request=5aukpodzqo3jqg2fumznkasc |title=Keith Mills 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report}}

| align="center" |$100

| align="center" |$0

| align="center" |$15,000

Tara Mosley{{cite web |url=https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/summit/finished.aspx?request=vgmspuy1epojxzgwd2sggz54 |title=Tara Mosley 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report}}

| align="center" |$9,501

| align="center" |$3,773

| align="center" |$10,506

Marco Sommerville{{cite web |url=https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/summit/finished.aspx?request=u2n4ivzjqizvovgovdptjifa |title=Marco Sommerville 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report}}

| align="center" |$63,375

| align="center" |$6,709

| align="center" |$88,375

Jeff Wilhite{{cite web |url=https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/summit/finished.aspx?request=r2j5saresgy2y3qzt133rvid |title=Jeff Wilhite 2022 Annual Campaign Finance Report}}

| align="center" |$4,250

| align="center" |$4,590

| align="center" |$872

= Endorsements =

{{Endorsements box

|title=Shammas Malik (D)

|list=

State legislators

Casey Weinstein, state representative from the 34th district (2019–present){{Cite web |url=https://allevents.in/akron/final-fundraiser-to-support-shammas-malik-for-mayor/200024466199346 |title=Final fundraiser to support Shammas Malik for Mayor! Tue Apr 25, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=All Events in Akron |language=en-US}}

Editorial boards

Akron Beacon Journal{{Cite web |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/opinion/editorials/2023/04/21/akron-beacon-journal-editorial-board-endorses-shammas-malik-for-akron-mayor/70115596007/ |title=Endorsement: Shammas Malik offers a bold new approach for Akron |date=2023-04-21 |access-date=2023-04-23 |language=en-US |website=Akron Beacon Journal}}
The Plain Dealer{{Cite web |url=https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2023/04/shammas-malik-for-akron-mayor-in-the-democratic-primary-endorsement-editorial.html |website=Cleveland.com |date=2023-04-23 |title=Shammas Malik for Akron mayor in the Democratic primary: endorsement editorial |access-date=2023-04-23 |language=en-US}}

Organizations

Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund{{Cite web |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/opinion/letters/2023/04/23/akron-mayor-marco-sommerville-shammas-malik-letters-to-editor/70108053007/ |title=Voice of the People: Support for Sommerville, Malik for Akron mayor |date=2023-04-23 |access-date=2023-04-23}}
People's Action Ohio{{Cite web |url=https://www.ohiocitizen.org/ohio_citizen_action_endorses_shammas_malik |title=Ohio Citizen Action Endorses Shammas Malik |date=2023-03-20 |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Ohio Citizen Action |language=en-US}}
Sierra Club Ohio - Portage Trail Group
University of Akron College Democrats{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/CollegeDemsUA/status/1651608515457474561?s=20 |title=FROM THE DESK OF AARON UHL: We here at the UA College Dems are proud to endorse @shammasmalik for Akron Mayor! |website=Twitter |publisher= UAkron College Dems (@CollegeDemsUA) |date=April 27, 2023 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |language=en-US}}

}}

{{Endorsements box

|title=Tara Mosley (D)

|list=

Local officials

Michael Williams, former at-large Akron city councilor (1997–2015){{Cite web |url=https://www.akron.com/articles/former-councilmember-supports-mosley-for-mayor/ |title=Former Councilmember supports Mosley for mayor |date=2023-04-20 |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Akron.com |language=en-US}}

Individuals

Cornel West, philosopher and honorary chairman of Democratic Socialists of America{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en4qXMk3X4M |title=Dr Cornel West Supports Tara Mosley for Mayor |website=YouTube |publisher=Studio One23 Productions |date=2023-04-19 |access-date=2023-04-23 |language=en-US}}

Organizations

Black Elected Officials of Summit County - 20 TBA local officials{{Cite web |url=https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beosc-fundraiser-for-tara-mosley-for-mayor-tickets-616447118927 |website=EventBrite |title=BEOSC Fundraiser for Tara Mosley for Mayor 04/25 |access-date=2023-04-23 |language=en-US}}
Our Revolution{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/OurRevolution/status/1625977045787312147?s=20 |website=Twitter|author=Our Revolution (@OurRevolution) |title=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. |language=en-US |date=2023-02-15 |access-date=2023-04-23}}

}}

{{Endorsements box

|title=Marco Sommerville (D)

|list=

U.S. Representatives

Shontel Brown, U.S. Representative from {{ushr|OH|11|OH-11}} (2021–present){{Cite web |url=https://eu.beaconjournal.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/19/nancy-holland-and-kemp-boyd-not-endorsing-marco-sommerville-for-akron-mayor-mayoral-race-despite-ad/70119972007/ |title=Two on campaign mailer say they actually aren't endorsing Marco Sommerville for Akron mayor |website=Akron Beacon Journal |last=Livingston |first=Doug |language=en-US |date=2023-04-23 |access-date=2023-04-23}}
Tom Sawyer, former U.S. Representative from {{ushr|OH|14|OH-14}} (1987–2003) and former Mayor of Akron (1984–1986)

Countywide officials

Sherri Bevan Walsh, Summit County Prosecuting Attorney (2001–present)

Local officials

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

Labor unions

Teamsters Local 348
Ohio AFL-CIO
Tri-County Building & Construction Trades Council

}}

{{Endorsements box

|title=Declined to endorse

|list=

Local officials

Nancy Holland, Akron city councilor from ward 1 (2021–present)

}}

= Polling =

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"

valign=bottom

! Poll source

! Date(s)
administered

! Sample
size{{efn|Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear|name="Key"}}

! Margin
{{nowrap|of error}}

! style="width:60px;"| Greer

! style="width:60px;"| Malik

! style="width:60px;"| Mills

! style="width:60px;"| Mosley

! style="width:60px;"| Schaffer

! style="width:60px;"| Somerville

! style="width:60px;"| Wilhite

! Other

! Undecided

style="text-align:left;"|Center for Media & Opinion Research[https://www.ideastream.org/2023-04-24/poll-theres-a-3-way-race-for-akron-mayor-undecideds-could-make-the-difference Center for Media & Opinion Research]{{efn|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}}

|March 27 – April 2, 2023

|400 (LV)

|± 5.0%

|3%

|{{party shading/Democratic}}|18%

|3%

|15%

|5%

|17%

|6%

|–

|{{party shading/Undecided}}|33%

style="text-align:left;"|Center for Media & Opinion Research[https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2023-02-27/new-akron-poll-crime-jayland-walker-and-undecided-voters-dominate-public-opinion-in-mayors-race Center for Media & Opinion Research]{{efn|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}}

|January 17 – February 4, 2023

|510 (A)

|± 4.3%

|–

|8%

|–

|7%

|3%

|{{party shading/Democratic}}|12%

|4%

|2%

|{{party shading/Undecided}}|66%

= Results =

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2023 Akron mayoral Democratic primary{{cite web |title=May 2, 2023 Primary/Special Election |publisher=Summit County Board of Elections |access-date=May 5, 2023 |url=https://liveresults.boe.ohio.gov/ENR/summitohenr/7/en/Index_7.html}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Shammas Malik