C.J. Fogarty, a Ohio University sophomore studying history, is the second student running as a Republican for City Council.
With little more than a week left to file candidacy with the Athens County Board of Elections, an Ohio University student declared his interest in an at-large seat on Athens City Council on Monday.
C.J. Fogarty, a sophomore studying history, said in a news release he plans to run as a Republican for at-large seat in the primary this May. Before he files with the board, he needs to receive more than 50 signatures from registered voters endorsing him.
The last day to file petitions for candidacy is Feb. 4.
“I want to characterize myself not as a student,” he said. “I want to characterize myself as a resident of Athens.”
There will be *two at-large seats open on city council in this year’s election.
One of those positions will be vacant due to Councilman Steve Patterson running for mayor.
The second seat opened up after Chris Knisely was appointed council president when Jim Sands left the position in December.
Fogarty is the second OU student to announce his bid for an at-large city position.
Aaron Dauterman, a junior studying communication studies, declared in December he would run as a Republican for an at-large seat.
If either man wins, he would not only be the first Republican to serve on council since 2003, he’d be the youngest.
Dauterman’s candidacy has been approved by the Athens County Board of Elections.
Patterson said he’s open to the idea of having a Republican voice on council.
“That’s the beauty of city council,” he said. “Members from different walks of life wearing different hats in the community.”
Michael Canterbury — who is currently serving as an interim councilmember — will be running on the Democratic ticket for an at-large council seat, contested by fellow Democrat Joan Kraynanski,
Pete Couladis, chairman of the Athens County Republican Party, said young Republican candidates like Dauterman and Fogarty reflect millennials’ growing disillusionment with President Barack Obama’s administration.
“I think Democrats take these groups for granted: minorities, women and young people,” he said.
That disillusionment proved true in 2014’s midterm elections when Rep. Elise Stefanik became the youngest woman elected to congress after she won New York’s 21st district.
That same election, 18-year-old Republican Saira Blair became the youngest state legislator when she was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates.
This year’s elections might reflect a similar trend in Athens.
“Young people can think for themselves,” Couladis said. “They’re not robots.”
Fogarty said he was inspired to run after he realized he wouldn’t be living on campus next year. As a result, he decided he was interested in having a say in the city politics that would affect him.
In the news release, Fogarty said he wanted to focus on three main issues if elected to city council: improving city roads, relaxing parking regulations to ease ticket burdens on students and providing a different perspective on legislative decisions.
“I hope to be a voice for change,” Fogarty said.
wp198712@ohio.edu
@wtperkins
