All Athens City Council candidates in this year’s municipal election are running unopposed and all are Democrats. The Nov. 4 election will seat three new members and promote one current member to president.
Council terms last two years with no term limits. Councilmembers Jeff Risner and Solveig Spjeldnes chose not to seek reelection, opening their seats for newcomers.
Megan Leah Almeida will succeed Spjeldnes, John Adams Staser will take Risner’s seat and Paul Isherwood is to replace Micah McCarey as an At-Large Representative.
Joshua Thomas is seeking reelection as Council treasurer.
Incumbents Beth Clodfelter, Alan Swank, Michael Wood and Jessica Thomas remain in their current positions.
McCarey, previously an At-Large Representative, is running unopposed to replace Sam Crowl as Council president.
McCarey also served as Director of the Pride Center at Ohio University before the center was shut down in June due to the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act.
McCarey said, although he has not been campaigning in a traditional sense as he is running unopposed, he has been preparing for the responsibilities of Council president by reviewing the Ohio Revised Code, Athens City Code and City Council Rules.
McCarey said his main priorities as president will include fiscal sustainability, housing and infrastructure, community cohesion and anti-hate initiatives, as well as environmental, accessibility and public health issues.
“We’ll need to lean into collaborative strategies for expanding housing options and maintaining livable, connected neighborhoods,” McCarey said in an email. “Strengthening sustainability, mobility and well-being will remain essential priorities—from reducing our community’s carbon footprint to improving walkability, transportation access and mental health supports that enhance everyday quality of life.”
McCarey said serving as an At-Large Representative showed him the role of City Council can be even stronger, especially in terms of combining policy decisions and the well-being of citizens.
“Each term brings new challenges, and I'm eager to help Council members work together effectively, stay informed and engage meaningfully with residents,” McCarey said in an email. “My focus is on helping Council function as a thoughtful, learning-oriented body so that we can better address issues like budget constraints, housing availability and community cohesion.”
Swank is beginning his third term on Council after first being elected in November 2021.
“I hope to continue advocating for the responsible expenditure of taxpayer dollars, to involve citizens early in the process on matters that will be coming before council, and to respond to constituent requests for help in matters that affect them and the city,” Swank said in an email.
Both McCarey and Swank shared their messages with Athens voters.
Swank said he aims to listen to and act on citizen concerns, with particular attention to how the city spends citizens' tax dollars, while McCarey said he hopes to make it easier for residents to see how their participation shapes city decisions.
“Athens is full of people who care deeply about their neighborhoods, environment, and sense of belonging,” McCarey said in an email. “My goal is to make it easier for residents to see how their engagement—whether through meetings, boards, surveys, or community conversations—shapes city decisions.”
Voting precincts and polling locations can be found on the Athens County Board of Elections website. Residents are encouraged to review candidate information and policies to make informed choices at the polls.
