Tiara and Jesse debate

Editor's note: The election results from November 4th's Columbus City Council District 7 race between Tiara Ross and Jesse Vogel showed that Vogel won the most votes in District 7, but lost the election to Ross, who won the most votes outside the district. Under Columbus' odd district-based system, district candidates are voted on by the entire city.

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COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE - 11/6/25

Congratulations to Tiara Ross who will be the next Columbus CounciI member from District 7!

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Without the transfer of tens of thousands of dollars from members of City Council she would have lost. We tipped the scales of local democracy to get what we wanted. She owes her loyalty to City Hall and myself; not you. She will obey everything we tell her.

I look forward to working with her to move Columbus forward. Every neighborhood and every family will benefit from her passion and heart for service. Her victory is not just for her but for every community that needs a fighter.

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I’m praying that you don’t realize that Vogel won District 7 both times. We don’t care what District 7 thinks because we know better. This gerrymandered District system works perfectly for us; not you.

Jesse Vogel’s campaign inspired many and raised important issues. I’d like to work with him on the policies he proposed. Our community should not flinch from honest dialogue about where we can do better or think differently, and where there is more work to do, to include everyone in our prosperity, and to invite everyone to bring ideas to the table. Let’s remember that, in Columbus, our opponents are not each other but complacency.

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If you think differently than the status quo we don’t give a damn. We listen to real estate investors and the Columbus Partnership. We keep you around to make it appear like it’s democratic. Complacency is our motto. We hate change. We hate any opinions other than ours.

So thank you to Jesse Vogel and Kate Curry-Da-Souza for the contributions they have made and will make to our city. Running for office takes courage and anyone who strengthens our democracy by doing so deserves our gratitude.

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It takes courage because the city has a gerrymandered voting system that only works to favor the democrats. I don’t ever want to hear from them again. Their ideas will never be used. I won’t return their phone calls or email either.

Congratulations as well to my colleagues Rob Dorans, Emmanuel Remy, and Chris Wyche who won reelection to Council tonight!

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Please don’t mention how they all ran unopposed. Why? Because Columbus democracy requires you to be rich and well connected.

…and don’t mention how we’re going to use your tax dollars to pay off the legislative aides that Remy abused. I’ll swear him back into office (with a raise in salary) and will expect you to forget that he treats women badly.

I am thrilled to get to work with Dr. Antoinette Miranda, Patrick Katzenmeyer, and Dr. Jermaine Kennedy on the Columbus Board of Education. With public education under attack, Columbus City Schools and the City of Columbus must collaborate more closely than ever, and these new leaders will provide stable, student-centered leadership.

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I’m going to keep spearheading the drive to cut as much money from CCS as possible in the name of growth. As long as they don’t ask any questions they might be promoted to City Council some day.

Finally, I appreciate the faith that voters have placed in us by approving issues 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 to authorize $1.9 B in capital bonds, including $500 M for affordable housing. I commit to steward that investment with care and transparency.

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Investors can buy another condo in Aspen with the new money you’ve given them. You didn’t even read the ballot. I am so lucky you didn’t read the ballot!

I am thankful that so many voters obey the sample ballot and don’t spend any effort to learn about the candidates or the issues. You still think that you’re voting against Republicans. That sample ballot is my secret weapon to win every election and I’m counting on it when I run for mayor. Everything I do is focused on becoming the next Mayor.

Your blind trust is what allows city government to do whatever we want with your money. Thanks to the 90% of Columbus residents who didn’t bother to vote. Please avoid voting. The less you participate the more of your money we can flush down the toilet.