On Nov. 4 Dayton will hold its general election. Issues on the ballot range from Issue 9, a levy to establish a new hospital in west Dayton, to two available city commissioner seats up for bid. It is important for every registered Daytonian voter to get out and make their voice heard on every issue, but most have their attention directed at the mayoral election.
There is reasonable merit as to why people are particularly interested in selecting the next mayor. The mayor is more more than just a ceremonial figure head; they are responsible for the day-to-day duties, represent the whole of Dayton and preside over city commission.
Dayton is in a unique position for this mayoral election. Because no Republicans campaigned for office, this is technically a nonpartisan race with two Democratic candidates.
As there are only two candidates for this election, no primary election was held and they both proceeded to the general election.
Jeffrey Mims Jr., the incumbent mayor of Dayton, is a decorated Vietnam veteran and has worked with Dayton as a public servant for over 40 years. After joining city commission in 2014, he was eventually elected mayor in 2021.
For this election cycle, Mims relaunched his campaign on the promise of increased investments in small businesses, entrepreneurship and law enforcement. He heralds back to his achievements during his first term, such as bringing new businesses to the city, wage growth, road repairs and park improvements, to encourage voters to support a second term. Mims has also already invested in public safety to reduce crime.
His counterpart has also laid out plans for new investments upon her possible election.
Shenise Turner-Sloss is currently a Dayton city commissioner and a lifelong Dayton resident. After graduating from Fisk University she became immersed in public service and was elected to city commission in 2021, taking office in 2022.
Her campaign runs on advocacy for community as well as a transparent and responsive government. Turner-Sloss’s “Flight Plan” serves as a guideline for what she hopes to accomplish if elected. Primarily focusing on affordable housing and neighborhood development, she also wants to strengthen business relationships within Dayton by “cutting the tape” and making it easier for businesses to establish and expand operations.
Turner-Sloss also promises to reshape public safety within Dayton. This involves establishing a “Public Safety Advisory Committee” comprised of residents, businesses, community leaders and subject matter experts to investigate areas of concern and best practice. This also involves investing more heavily into the Dayton Police Department, incentivizing Dayton residents to become officers by providing new recruits with competitive wages, paid training and college tuition.
Both Mims and Turner-Sloss have a clear vision for the future of Dayton, emphasizing business investment, public safety and an increase in the quality of life for Dayton residents.
How each candidate plans to do it may differ, but it is the responsibility of each voter to independently research each candidate and come to their own conclusion of what changes they want to see in their community and to vote accordingly.
Remember to make sure you are registered to vote and know how to find your polling location.
Noah Schlarman, executive editor
Checkout more posts by the Clarion:
- Letter from the Editor October Edition
- Dr. Dan Wait’s journey from studying at Berkley to teaching at Sinclair
- 2 Democrats, 1 decision: Dayton’s mayoral election
- From Samhain to sweets: Halloween’s haunted history
- “Too Old for Candy?”: When Trick-or-Treating Loses Its Spook
- Sam Stanley’s personal experience of being a WWOOFer
