Faces new and familiar were elected to public office in the city of Bowling Green Tuesday night.
The incumbent mayor, Democrat Mike Aspacher, was elected to a second term over his challenger, Joe DeMare, an independent endorsed by the Green Party.
According to unofficial numbers from the Wood County Board of Elections, Aspacher received 73.87%, or 5,948 votes, while DeMare received 26.13%, or 2,104 votes.
“I’m thankful for the support and grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve our community. I don’t take for granted this opportunity, and I truly am really thankful and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of all the great things that are happening here in Bowling Green,” Aspacher said Wednesday morning.
“What’s next is to continue to focus on those priorities that I identified during the course of the campaign, those priorities haven’t changed” he said.
Priorities include public safety; safe, dependable and affordable utilities; economic and community development; and continued investment in infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization.
Aspacher also noted he was gratified that the Bowling Green school district’s bond issue passed on Tuesday, saying “That is going to be, I believe, transformational” both for the school system and the community.
“Also, we’ll be considering capital project needs,” Aspacher said. “We’ve got some important conversations to have about the future of some of our city facilities,” including the east side fire station, and the possible expansion of the police station. He said there will also be discussions about the need for a possible third fire station in the city.
Democrat Jeff Dennis was re-elected to his at-large seat on Bowling Green City Council, defeating his challenger, Republican Eric Peck. Dennis received 60.46% of the vote, or 4,953 votes, to Peck’s 39.54%, or 3,239 votes.
This will be the first full term on council for Dennis, who was chosen for the seat in 2021 after the death of the late Councilman Neocles Leontis.
In a statement released Tuesday night, Dennis said “I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of Bowling Green residents who have entrusted me with their votes and given me the opportunity to continue to serve as your city councilman. I look forward to continuing to work hard every day to earn that trust and ensure that the concerns of every member of our community are heard and addressed.
“I’d also like to thank everyone who volunteered, donated or otherwise supported our campaign. From the beginning, we’ve run with a laser focus on the concrete, substantive issues that matter most to our community. That includes housing and neighborhood revitalization, pedestrian and bike infrastructure, protecting our environment, and building a community where everyone is welcome. We’re seeing a lot of positive momentum, and I look forward to further progress in the years ahead.
“Finally, I’d like to thank Mr. Peck and each of the other candidates who appeared on the ballot this year. At a time when it’s far more popular to take the cynical approach, I have the utmost respect for anyone who’s willing to give the time, energy and dedication it takes to run for public office. I’m grateful for their sacrifice and I look forward to working together to create an even brighter, more prosperous future for Bowling Green.”
In another contested race, Democrat Damon Sherry defeated Republican David Drain for the city’s First Ward council seat. The seat is currently held by Democrat Nick Rubando, who did not seek re-election.
Sherry received 369 votes, or 66.49%, to Drain’s 186 votes, or 33.51%.
“Here in Bowling Green, we’ve made history tonight with my campaign,” Sherry, who uses them/them pronouns, said Tuesday night. “I’m the first openly queer person elected to office” in the city, as well as the first non-binary person.
Sherry, a senior at Bowling Green State University, said they are both a first-time candidate and a first-generation college student.
“I’m happy to give Gen Z’s perspective,” they said. “I’ll be able to represent by generation” and give their perspective on how the city should move forward.
Sherry said that before being sworn into office next year, they want to hold a community conversation to see what the needs of Ward 1 are and what needs to be brought to council. As a current student graduating in the spring, Sherry said, it’s important to focus on the needs of the people.
Sherry also commended Drain on running for the First Ward seat and for a “really nice race.”
“It take a lot of courage to run for office,” they said, wishing Drain the best for the future. Sherry said they hope to continue conversations with Drain during their term in office. Sherry also thanked their supporters, saying they showed the city is ready to move forward.
Ward 2 Councilman, Democrat Joel O’Dorisio; Ward 3 Councilwoman, Democrat Rachel Phipps; and Ward 4 Councilman, Republican Bill Herald, all of whom ran unopposed, were also re-elected to their council seats.
