In what has become a rarity, a Republican has entered the race for Akron mayor. Jennifer Hensal is a Medina attorney, a first-time candidate for any office, and the first Republican to run for mayor since 2003.  

In a largely Democratic city, the real competition has been in Akron’s Democratic primary. This year Mayor Don Plusquellic is facing at-large Councilman Michael Williams. Plusquellic has held office for nearly twenty-four years – one of the longest serving mayors in the state.

Hensal says she supports Senate Bill 5 that severely limits the collective bargaining power of public employees in Ohio. But she questions the city’s prolonged court battle with its police union over mandated raises.