As an Ohio University sophomore and Republican, Aaron Grassel said he faces an uphill battle to becoming one of Athens City Council's at-large members.
The 20-year-old political science major began petitioning last week to be included on this year's election ballot. He will compete with at least six other candidates, including two students, for the council's three at-large seats.
Grassel, originally from Whitehall, is a member of OU College Republicans, and only the second Republican to enter the political fray for the city's 2011 local elections.
Although his party is outnumbered in the race, Grassel said he still wants to run.
Anything is possible
Grassel said. I could win or I could lose but I want to give it a shot.
The field includes two incumbents: OU graduate student Elahu Gosney and Christine Knisely. Newcomers Cycle Path Bicycle Shop owner Maxine Rantane, OU psychology professor Steve Patterson, and two other OU undergraduates - OU College Democrats President Nate Hall and Athens High School graduate Ibriham Alassaf - are also running for the seats.
Poverty and economic development are two areas Grassel wants to focus on in his campaign, he said, adding that the city needs to attract big business in order to bring better paying jobs to the region.
Which candidates walk away with the council's at-large seats will be, in large part, dependent on student turnout, he said.
I'm not the only student running and to get some students on City Council would be great
Grassel said. If students come out to vote
they could easily have a voice on the council.
Athens County Republican Party Chairman Pete Couladis said he's never met Grassel but is happy there will be a GOP candidate on the ballot.
The only other city Republican involved in a 2011 local election race is Randy Morris, who is running for mayor.
Couladis said he has spoken with many local business owners about potentially running for office with little success.
They tend to run and hide when local elections come
and they're the ones that complain the most
he said.
There is one other potential Republican candidate for Council, but that person has yet to make a final decision, Couladis said.
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Wesley Lowery
