City of Columbus mayoral candidate Joe Motil states, “Incumbent Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s runoff election loss yesterday is part of a pattern across the country. In one term, she lost the unprecedented diverse backing that elected her four years ago. Voters in cities east and west, north and south, large and small are rejecting new leaders and handpicked politicians who are joined at the hip with developers and corporations. Chicago voters overwhelmingly made it clear that those who are not delivering on their promises to provide safe neighborhoods, truly affordable housing, fixing our crumbling infrastructure, solving homelessness, and quality of life for all no longer will remain in office.”           

Motil says, “Last year’s Los Angeles, California mayoral election loss by businessman Rick Caruso, who spent over $100 million on his campaign, is also a sign that money by itself isn’t going to fool Columbus voters. We see similar patterns in New Orleans, Atlanta, San Francisco, even Cleveland and Cincinnati.  

 “My opponent will outspend me with his over-and-under-the table campaign contributions. But the voters of Columbus will no longer be hoodwinked by glossy campaign literature filled with bogus promises expressed in poor slogans, and inundated with TV commercials – and the coverage that comes with their purchase – filled with catch phrases, campaign rhetoric, smiling faces, and empty promises. It’s time for a new day in Columbus. Voters are hungry for change. The physical and social communty are crying out for it.”

Motil concludes, “Ginther’s approach to addressing crime in Columbus neighborhoods and providing truly affordable housing is weak at best. When the primary focus is on the bank accounts of developers and corporations, working families and neighborhoods suffer economically, socially, and physically. There is inequality across our crumbling city.”

“Until we address public safety, structural racism, affordable housing, poverty, food and health care deserts, employment opportunities and jobs that pay a living wage, public education, access to mental health and childcare crime will worsen. More funding for community policing that is tied to mental health services and a multi-faceted street level crime prevention program are steps in the right direction.  But to prevent crime, you have to be smart and tough at the same time.

“I can do that. Ginther has proven over decades and each day that he cannot.”