FRANKLIN COUNTY ENDORSED DEMOCRATS FOR 2023
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FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT
LORI M. TYACK
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Lori M. Tyack was born in Central Ohio and has lived in Franklin County her entire life. The daughter of an airline technician and a homemaker, Lori attended Whitehall City Schools. Clerk Tyack is a proud graduate of the Columbus State Community College paralegal program and later earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio Dominican University. As part of her continuing education, Clerk Tyack attended classes offered by The Ohio Supreme Court and The National Center for State Courts. Through these efforts, she has achieved recognition as a Certified Court Manager, Certified Court Executive, and Institute for Court Management Fellow.
Before being elected Clerk, she worked in both the private and public sectors. She worked as a paralegal for a local law firm and as a bailiff for Justice Jennifer Brunner. Clerk Tyack also ran her own business offering support services to clients. Clerk Tyack was elected as the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk in 2005 and reelected in 2011 and 2017. She has worked to modernize the Franklin County Municipal Court by implementing an E-Filing program and introducing electronic workflows to work towards a paperless court environment. Clerk Tyack has met with various community groups to educate them about the Clerk’s Office. She has led several public service projects, including Safe Surrender, Driver’s License Reinstatement Workshop, and the Office has participated in Record Sealing and Expungement Clinics. Lori volunteers her time at Peace Lutheran Church and has even participated in a mission trip to Alaska. She is the mother of three sons and currently resides in Gahanna. |
ANDREA PEEPLES
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Judge Peeples received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University and her Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University. Before being elected, she served as legal counsel in the Franklin County Public Defender's Office, the Columbus City Attorney's Office, the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office, and finally in the Columbus City Attorney's Civil Division. She has trial experience in municipal, common pleas, juvenile, and federal court.
Judge Peeples was elected as a Franklin County Municipal Court Judge in 2005 and re-elected in 2011 and 2017. She has been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Interpreters Services for three terms by the Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court and served as a Delegate to the National Center for State Courts on the issues of Language Access in the Courts. Judge Peeples has also served two terms on the Supreme Court Advisory Committee for Domestic Violence. The Judge is also a member of the Firearms Technical Assistance Project and The Franklin County Blueprint for Safety; the task force using a Departmental of Justice grant to improve justice responses to Domestic Violence. Judge Peeples has served extensively as faculty or presenter, including the following: Technology in the Courts; Evidence Collection in Domestic Violence Cases; Law Enforcement Officers as Drug Recognition Experts; Advanced Standardized Field Sobriety Test – OVI; and Practical Court Applications in Interpreter Services. Judge Peeples presented; Opiate Summit; New Interpreters Court Procedure - Roles and the Record for the Ohio Supreme Court; and as a facilitator for the Ohio Association of Court Administrators, she presented; Taking a Look at Sovereign Citizens; and Know Your Rights and Immigration Updates. Judge Peeples was also a guest lecturer twice for the Moritz American Law and Language Summer Program and was on the Judicial Panel for Legal Aid New Lawyer Training. |
ZACH GWIN
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Throughout his career, Zach has shown his dedication to public service. Zach has both a passion for, and a record of, advocating for our underserved communities in both his work and personal life. From Victim Witness Advocate, to defense attorney, to Assistant City Attorney, Zach has the diversity of experience and connections to the community needed in our Court.
Zach serves as an Assistant City Attorney in the Columbus City Attorney’s Office within the Zone Initiative. There Zach is responsible for handling public nuisance litigation in the Franklin County Environmental Court. In this role, Zach is tasked with handling quality of life issues on the west side of the City where he lives with his family. Zach has received numerous credits in local news for his work to close down locations of serious violence and chronic criminal activity. In his current role, Zach has secured temporary restraining orders and injunctions to close dozens of drug houses and multiple, dangerous after- hours bars. Zach has fought for lead paint remediation, reducing vacant properties, and improving housing conditions for residents. Zach began his legal career as a victim witness advocate and was later hired by then Columbus City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer as an Assistant Prosecutor. As an Assistant Prosecutor, Zach handled thousands of cases and litigated dozens of cases to verdict before judges and juries in Franklin County Municipal Court. After a number of years as an Assistant Prosecutor, Zach joined the law firm of Farlow & Associates where his practice primarily focused on criminal defense. Shortly after, Zach returned to the Columbus City Attorney’s Office under City Attorney Zach Klein. Zach has argued before the 10th District Court of Appeals on multiple occasions and also has experience in medical malpractice, personal injury, consumer protection, and education law. |
JARROD B. SKINNER
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Judge Jarrod B. Skinner was elected to Franklin County Municipal Court in November 2017 after having served the previous 12 years as a Prosecutor for the City of Columbus. He presides over both a standard criminal/civil docket in addition to the Military and Veterans Services (MAVS) docket.
He serves as Chair of the Technology and as Co-Chair of the Personnel Committee at the Franklin County Municipal Court. Judge Skinner also serves as a member of the Finance and Budget Committee, Specialized Docket Committee and the Probation and Pre-trial Services Committee. Outside of Franklin County, Judge Skinner serves on the Supreme Court of Ohio Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence and is a board member of the Franklin County Law Library. Additionally, Judge Skinner currently serves on the Capital University Law School Alumni Association Board. He has previously served on the Columbus Bar Association Board of Governors and the African American Law Alumni Board at Capital University Law School. Judge Skinner moved from The Bronx, New York to Bedford, Ohio in 1996. The first in his family to go to college, Jarrod earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The Ohio State University, where he developed an interest in becoming an attorney. After working two jobs and attending law school at night, Judge Skinner graduated from Capital University Law School in 2005 and shortly thereafter began his legal career, dedicating his life to fighting for equal opportunities for all citizens, no matter their background. In the Columbus Bar Association's Judicial Performance Poll, Judge Skinner consistently ranks among the top-tier in every measured category. Judge Skinner has received countless awards and accolades since first being elected in 2017. Judge Jarrod B. Skinner is a member of Faith Ministries Church and lives with his wife and children in Columbus. |
CITY OF columbus
ANDREW J. GINTHER
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Columbus is my home, and I’m working to make it work for all of us. I am working to ensure every child, every family, every neighborhood shares in our city’s success.
Growing up in Columbus, I saw too many friends whose parents worked just as hard, had just as much potential, and believed in the American Dream just as much as my family…but access to ladders of opportunity remained out of reach. For me, this work is personal. I am a proud product of Columbus City Schools – Brentnell, Indianola, Dominion, then Whetstone. I am the son of a social worker, grandson of a union organizer and brother to 47 foster brothers and sisters. I saw firsthand the disparities in our community. I’m the husband of an amazing advocate for gender equity, and father to a little girl who is a daily reminder of why we are working to build America’s Opportunity City. I have spent my entire career in public service, first on the School Board for Columbus City Schools, then on City Council. We have done great work during my time as this city’s Mayor – bringing in jobs, expanding diversity and cultural competency, reducing violent crime and building a bright future. And we’re just getting started. |
CHRIS WYCHE
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Christopher Wyche was born in Boston, but has spent the majority of his adult life in the Greater Columbus area. He is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and received his B.A in Economics Management. With a passion for non-profits, Chris started his career with United Ways of New England organizing national fundraising campaigns to support nonprofit organizations across the country.
At the beginning of the great recession, Chris made the decision to move back to the Columbus area to be closer to loved ones. He began working at City Year Columbus as a Development Manager, but quickly took on the additional responsibilities in Government Affairs, Marketing and Communications, Human Resources, and Media Relations. During his time at City Year, Chris helped to launch the Diplomas Now School Turnaround Model - a fully integrated approach that improves a school’s curriculum and instruction, while providing students with the right support at the right time. In 2014, Chris joined AT&T Ohio as the Director of External Affairs initially covering northwest Ohio building relationships with Mayors, City Managers, Council Members and County Commissioners to address telecommunications policy issues. Chris would go on to cover central and northeastern Ohio territory for the company managing AT&T’s local philanthropic budget. Over his time at AT&T, Chris has negotiated multi million dollar partnerships, organized youth development initiatives to reshape our workforce, and worked to address the digital divide and homework gap. |
NANCY DAY-ACHAUER
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Nancy grew up in the small, rural town of Nevada City, California. Nancy’s father, Joseph Day, was a WWII Veteran who supported his family as a Real Estate Broker and accountant. Her mother, Roberta, stayed at home while Nancy and her brothers were young
Both of her parents were active in their community. Her parents’ focus on their community instilled a strong sense of responsibility in Nancy – a tradition she continues through her work today. Nancy’s experience of receiving a quality education at public schools is at the root of her passion for ensuring that all children have the opportunity to succeed. Nancy’s first job out of high school was assisting customers in the catalog department of JC Penney. In 1985 she accepted a position at a local, small business where she started as a receptionist and was eventually promoted to General Manager and Corporate Administrator. During her time in business, she faced what so many working families do – layoffs and the stress of providing for her family. While working full-time and raising a child on her own, Nancy attended classes at night and earned her degree in Business Management. Like many people in the United States, she experienced the challenges and hardships faced by women and men who raise their families without a co-parent. In 2005, Nancy moved to Delaware, Ohio to attend the Methodist Theological School in Ohio to earn her Master of Divinity. By attending year-round and carrying a full academic load, she was able to graduate after three years. Nancy and her husband Jeff, a retired electrical engineer at AEP and a veteran of the US Army and US Air Force, live in Columbus with their dog, Arnie. |
ROB DORANS
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Rob Dorans learned at an early age that you should serve your community when able. From helping to register thousands of fellow students to vote in college, to taking on pro bono legal assignments helping underserved populations, serving as a Big Brother and as a Parks Commission member, Rob has always tried to answer that call to service.
He strives to continue that service on Columbus City Council. While on Council, Rob has provided a voice for working families and has advocated for greater economic opportunities for all residents. On Council, he is the Chair of the Public Utilities, Technology, and Neighborhoods committees. Rob’s service is rooted in a strong union upbringing. Through that experience he learned first-hand the power of government to drastically affect people’s lives. The week he was born, Rob’s father’s union went on a strike that lasted nearly three months. During that time without a single paycheck for their family, Rob’s family relied on the Women, Infant, & Child (WIC) nutrition program to afford access to food when they otherwise would have gone without. Rob will never forget the vital, life-changing role of government in improving the lives of families, and he brings that perspective to every action he takes on Council. His commitment to working families continues in his work outside of Council. Rob is the Chief Legal Counsel for ACT Ohio, a labor-affiliated non-profit that advocates for workers in the construction industry. His work there has helped direct hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages to workers who were defrauded by their employers. Additionally, he’s worked with labor unions and community groups across Ohio to help recruit young people into construction apprenticeship programs that pay a living wage and provide healthcare and retirement benefits. He is a proud third-generation union member. Rob graduated with honors from Ohio University and received his law degree from the University of Toledo. He and his wife, Dr. Lauren Elliott-Dorans, live in Clintonville with their son Elliott and rescue dog Captain. |
EMMANUEL REMY
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Emmanuel Remy currently serves as the Chair of Public Safety, Environment, and Administration committees. Emmanuel has previously chaired the Public Service and Transportation Committee and Economic Development. During his 5-year tenure on council, he has worked to meet and better understand the needs of each neighborhood in Columbus. Under Emmanuel’s direction, the city has installed more sidewalks around schools to assure safe routes to school, decreased the amount of litter, debris, and illegal dumping throughout the city, provided employment for those that are unemployed or under-employed and is currently working to provide Columbus residents tools for a safer Columbus.
Prior to joining Council, Emmanuel spent six years as the president of the Northland Community Council. As president, Emmanuel worked with Northland’s police liaisons, the City Attorney’s office and other city and state entities to close down five crime-ridden hotels by having them declared a nuisance. This success led to Emmanuel advocating for licensing requirements to help shutdown “problem” hotels in other parts of the city. This work led to the implementation of a model that is praised nationally, for ridding the city of problem hotels. Over the course of his leadership in Northland, Emmanuel worked to redevelop the Morse Road corridor and served on the committee to reauthorize the Morse Road Special Improvement District (SID). Emmanuel works as a Realtor by trade, specializing in the residential market to help buyers realize their dreams. Emmanuel is married to his wife, Liz, who is a Columbus City School teacher finishing her 20th year and also serves as the CEA Representative for school. They have three children enrolled in Columbus City Schools. |
NICK BANKSTON
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Nick Bankston is a native of Columbus, proud graduate of Columbus East High School and The Ohio State University. A homegrown champion, Nick has dedicated his life and career to public service.
Currently Nick serves as the President & CEO of Gladden Community House, serving over 15,000 residents annual by helping to stabilize families and position them for success. Nick previously served as the Project Manager for Neighborhood Transformation Strategies for the City of Columbus where he worked hand in hand with neighbors in Linden and the Hilltop to develop community transformation plans. Nick believes the greatest asset of our communities are the people, and it is the responsibility of City Hall and our elected officials to empower all of us, and provide every residents the tools and opportunities to thrive. A champion for social justice and equity, Nick led the Issue 2 campaign which made history and gave voters the power to vote for police reform by amending the City's charter to establish a Civilian Police Review Board to hold police accountable. Nick has a heart for the people and the experience needed to navigate city government and lead on behalf of the people. He believes that government has the ability and responsibility to improve the lives of all us by putting public service above politics. Nick is a member of I Am Church, is married to his beautiful and accomplished wife Habiba Bankston and lives in Northeast Columbus in the McCutcheon Crossing neighborhood with their son Xavier Kamal Bankston and dog Zoey. |
MELISSA GREEN
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I’m Melissa. I’m a proud West Side resident, dedicated partner, mom to a fifth-generation Hilltop kid and a licensed Social Worker. And I’m running to represent Columbus’ 6th District on Columbus City Council.
I’ve always felt called to serve others. It’s why I decided to become a social worker — so I could dedicate my life to helping people and addressing social challenges. During the early years of my career working as a behavioral health therapist, it became evident that many of the issues impacting my clients’ mental health and wellbeing weren’t “disorders”. They were simply having normal reactions to abnormal situations and hardships being experienced in the world around them. So, I shifted my focus to public service, where I have been working to not just treat the ‘symptoms’ of the challenges so many people experience, but to develop programs and change policies to improve the health and well-being of our City — and everyone who lives in it. Over the past decade I’ve worked hard to create positive change across our neighborhoods. Whether creating youth prevention programs, expanding access to resources for people who use drugs, or launching community empowerment programs: my life and my work has been rooted in service to others, social justice, and respect and dignity for all people. I’ll continue to fight for good in Columbus’ neighborhoods, and I’d be proud to do this work as your next Columbus City Council member. |
SHAYLA D. FAVOR
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Prior to joining Council, Councilmember Shayla D. Favor served as an Assistant City Attorney in Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein’s office. As a Zone Attorney, Favor had the opportunity to litigate high-profile environmental lawsuits, advise administrative and local governmental agencies, and draft several pieces of legislation. Favor worked alongside the leaders of our city and community to provide essential city services to improve Columbus’ neighborhoods and facilitate conversations to address criminal activity, vacancies, abandonment, and blight.
In addition to serving on Council, Favor serves on the Executive Board of the John Mercer Langston Bar Association, whose purpose is to be a facilitator of excellence within the legal profession while encouraging community service for those in need. Favor also serves on the Executive Board for the annual design conference, Creative Control Fest. Creative Control Fest aims to provide a platform for creatives of color in the industries of art, music, design, activism, tech, scholarship and entrepreneurship. Favor lives on the Near-Eastside of Columbus with her husband Corey Favor and their pups, Hudson and Arizona. Corey is a proud New Yorker who moved to Columbus to attend Columbus College of Art & Design. Corey is the Sr. Director of Community Engagement Talent & Culture at Orange Barrel Media, Board of Trustee member for CCAD, Board member of The Gateway Film Center, and co-founder of Creative Control Fest. |
LOURDES BARROSO DE PADILLA
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Lourdes Barroso de Padilla has an extensive background in youth development and leadership. She has served with City Year, an education focused organization dedicated to helping students and schools succeed for more than 20 years. Barroso de Padilla has helped to found five of City Year’s twenty nine sites across the country, and has worked at all levels of the organization. She is a certified Youth Development Trainer and was awarded the Hewlett Packard Alumni Leadership Award in for her impact and service to the organization.
Barroso de Padilla is a graduate of Project Diversity, Leadership Columbus, and the Academy for Leadership and Governance Executive Fellowship program. She has served as a Commissioner with the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission, as a founding member of the Create Columbus Commission and as a board member for Directions for Youth and Families, the YWCA Columbus, and as a member of the United Way’s Education Impact Council and Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Currently, she serves as Vice Chair of MORPC’s Regional Policy Roundtable, is a member of the New Leader’s Council Advisory Board, and is a Greater Columbus Arts Council board member. Barroso de Padilla was featured in the inaugural editions of The Women’s Book and Who’s Who in Latino Columbus as well as WELD Ohio’s Women Welding the Way Calendar. She has been honored as one of Business First’s 40 under 40, and was named a Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan by the Ohio Commission on Latino Affairs. In November of 2021, Barroso de Padilla made history by becoming the first Latina to be elected as a member of the Columbus City Council. Lourdes is a bilingual first generation Cuban-American who was born and raised on the eastside of Columbus, and is a product of the Columbus public school system. She resides with her husband, Ernesto, and daughters, Eva and Valentina in Eastmoor. |
SHANNON GRANVILLE HARDIN
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Born and raised on the south side of Columbus, Council President Shannon Hardin is committed to building an equitable future that works for every resident in our city. As Columbus grows, Council President Hardin is focused on fostering an inclusive economy by partnering to build mass transit and affordable housing, empowering small and minority businesses, and providing youth with pathways to the middle class.
Based on his own experience going to Columbus City Schools and graduating college with six-figures of student debt, Council President Hardin developed the Columbus Promise - an initiative to allow Columbus City School graduates to attend Columbus State Community College for free with special coaching and support. Over the years, Council President Hardin has stepped up to lead big projects for the Columbus community. President Hardin led the charge to restructure Council. Council placed a bundle of reforms recommended by a citizen-led commission to improve accountability and neighborhood representation on the ballot. These changes overwhelmingly passed in May of 2018. Similarly, Council President Hardin drove the effort to nearly double public support for arts. The more than $6 million increase will improve family access to Columbus’ cultural gems while stabilizing civic treasures such as the Lincoln Theater, the King Arts Complex, and other historic arts establishments. Council President Hardin serves on the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and the National League of Cities Board of Directors. He was appointed to Council in 2014, subsequently won election in 2015, 2017, and 2021. Council President Hardin earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College and is a proud member of the Mount Olivet Baptist Church. Council President Hardin is married to Ben Zachrich and, together, they are raising their son Noah Hardin-Zachrich on the Near East Side. |
CITY OF GAHANNA