After Mayor Paul Wiehl and Athens City Council President Jim Sands both announced in December they would soon be giving up their positions in city government, candidates began eyeing the open positions.
On Dec. 1, shortly after Wiehl said he would likely not seek re-election at a council meeting, Councilman Steve Patterson, D-at large, announced on his personal Facebook page he would be a contender for the mayoral position.
Patterson considered that to be the next logical step.
“I’ve got myself wedded to what’s going on (in Athens),” Patterson said at the last Athens County Democratic Party meeting.
Shortly after Patterson’s announcement, Republican Andrew Looker said he would also be campaigning for mayor.
Looker, 20, is a junior studying communication studies at Ohio University.
Additionally, after Jim Sands stepped down from his long-held position as president of City Council, Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-at large, expressed interest in filling his spot.
No other members of council have expressed interest in the position.
Knisely will likely be appointed as president on Jan. 6, Alan Trout, the chair of the Athens County Democratic party said at the party’s last meeting Dec. 10. Until that time, Councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, will remain as acting president.
Though all members of council — with the exception of Patterson — will be running for re-election, two at large seats will be open to new candidates.
“With Chris Knisely and myself leaving … that’s opening up two at large seats, so I’m reaching out to the party,” Patterson said.
Athens Democrats Joan Kraynanski and Mike Canterbury answered that call, Patterson said, and both are running for at large seats on city council.
From the Republican party, OU junior Aaron Dauterman announced in early December he would also be seeking an at large seat.
Dauterman, 21, is studying communication studies.
Pete Couladis, chair of the Republican party, said three other members were considering running for elected city positions, but had not officially made an announcement yet.
@emilybohatch
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