Former Columbus City Council candidate and long-time community activist Joe Motil is submitting more than 2,000 petition signatures to the Franklin County Board of Elections at noon on Wednesday February 1, 2023. This officially confirms his campaign for mayor in the 2023 non-partisan May primary election.  

As a community leader dedicated to fairness, opportunity, equality, and justice, Motil has been involved with city government for 37 years in numerous capacities. His advocacy and commitment is well known and respected throughout Columbus’ neighborhoods. He is recognized especially for his fights against the city’s tax abatement policies, proposing solutions for truly affordable housing, advocating for the unsheltered, exposing corruption and the unethical conduct of city officials, reforming police, and advancing the rights for all Columbus citizens voices to be heard.       

Motil stated, “While collecting signatures to run for mayor of Columbus since April of 2022, the excitement and support from Columbus voters has been overwhelming. During that time I continued my consistent commitment to improving our neighborhoods, the lives of everyday people, and the most vulnerable.

“Ginther has failed over the last 20 years as a Columbus Board of Education member, Columbus City Councilperson, and mayor. He is incapable of providing the necessary vision, leadership, and political courage to improve our crumbling, physical city. neighborhoods, and the lives of everyday people throughout Columbus. This city and its people cannot remain on this course under the failed leadership and mounting mistrust of our mayor. Columbus voters see more than enough of a mayor who only serves the economic interests of wealthy developers, corporate Columbus, and the city’s power brokers.

“Columbus voters call for change and want a ‘Mayor of and for the People.’”

Voters now have an option in Joe Motil.