2003 Akron mayoral election
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November 8, 2003
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The 2003 Akron mayoral election was held on Tuesday November 4, Incumbent Democratic Mayor Don Plusquellic ran for re-election to a fifth term. He was challenged by State Representative Bryan C. Williams, the Republican nominee. Plusquellic defeated Williams in a landslide, winning 71 percent of the vote to Williams's 29 percent,[1] as voters simultaneously rejected a ballot measure to establish mayoral term limits.[2]
Democratic nomination
Incumbent Mayor Don Plusquellic announced that he would run for re-election.[3] He was the only Democratic candidate to file and won the nomination unopposed.[4]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Bryan C. Williams, State Representative[5]
- Katarina Cook, attorney[6]
- William John Price, attorney[7]
Campaign
Williams announced that he would run for Mayor on March 29, 2003, and attacked Plusquellic for his heavy-handed management of the city.[5] He referred to Plusquellic as a "dictator,"[7] and argued in favor of mayoral term limits.[5] He faced two-little known opponents in the primary,[4] and won a lukewarm endorsement of the Akron Beacon Journal, which noted that though Williams had "compil an undistinguished record in the Ohio House" and his term-limits proposal was "misguided," he was "the only real choice for Republican voters."[6]
Primary results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bryan Williams | 1,104 | 75.98% | |
| Republican | Katarina Cook | 211 | 14.52% | |
| Republican | William John Price | 138 | 9.50% | |
| Total votes | 1,453 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Campaign
In the general election, Williams attacked Plusquellic's record and governance of the city, posing one of the most serious threats to his re-election since he was first elected in 1987.[9] In the closing days of the campaign, Williams shifted his focus from attacking Plusquellic to laying out his own proposals.[10] He laid out a serious of proposals to increase spending on public services, including hiring more firefighters, and to cut taxes, but did not identify how the new services would be paid for.[11]
Both the Akron Beacon Journal and the Plain Dealer endorsed Plusquellic over Williams. The Beacon Journal praised his "capacity to grow, driven by his curiosity, his refreshing decisiveness, his vision and passion for the city," and "strongly recommend" his re-election.[12] The Plain Dealer noted that "Plusquellic is one reason why Akron, which is bleeding jobs like most cities in this region, has refused to give up. He simply won't surrender."[13] The Beacon Journal criticized Williams for his "skimpy" record in the legislature, noting that he had "accomplished little" and "is analysis of city affairs has been misinformed."[12] The Plain Dealer likewise noted that, despite Williams's "bruising campaign," it was "hard to make the charges stick."[13]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Don Plusquellic (inc.) | 26,967 | 70.71% | |
| Republican | Bryan C. Williams | 11,171 | 29.29% | |
| Total votes | 38,138 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
- ^ Wallace, Julie (November 5, 2003). "Plusquellic staying put: Akron mayor easily defeats Republican Bryan Williams". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. p. A1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ Abraham, Lisa A. (November 5, 2003). "Voters soundly reject term limits in Akron". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. p. A6. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ Wallace, Julie (June 17, 2003). "Akron mayor makes it official". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. p. B1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Wallace, Julie (June 27, 2003). "Races largely uncontested". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. p. B1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b c Wallace, Julie (March 30, 2003). "Republican runs for Akron mayor". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. p. B1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "For Akron mayor: We recommend Bryan Williams in the Republican primary". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. September 1, 2003. p. B2. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Luttner, Steve; Sheldon, Stephanie (September 10, 2003). "Williams wins Akron primary; Broadview Hts. race narrow". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. B4. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ "Primary Election - Summit County, Ohio - September 9, 2003". Summit County Board of Elections. September 19, 2003. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ^ Wallace, Julie (October 19, 2003). "Mayor's race hardest in years". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. p. A1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ Wallace, Julie (October 2, 2003). "Williams to back off Plusquellic". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. p. B4. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ Luttner, Steve (October 2, 2003). "Akron mayoral hopeful outlines plans". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. B4. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "For Akron mayor: We recommend the re-election of Don Plusquellic". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. October 17, 2003. p. B2. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "Akron mayor". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. October 13, 2003. p. B6. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ "General Election - Summit County, Ohio - November 4, 2003". Summit County Board of Elections. November 24, 2003. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
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