Akron City Council member Tara Mosley announces she's running for Akron mayor

Akron City Council Ward 5 representative Tara Mosley on Tuesday announced that she’s running for mayor of the city of Akron.

“I am running for mayor of the city that I love, the city that raised me,” Mosley said in an exclusive interview with the Beacon Journal on Tuesday. “And as a lifelong Akronite, I understand all that our city has to offer and the communities that it holds. But it's clear that our city is at a crossroads. I know that Akron’s future is bright, but only if it has a leader with a positive vision for the future. And our Akronites, they just deserve access to opportunity. They deserve good housing, and they deserve to feel safe in our neighborhoods.”

Mosley, a Democrat, is the latest to announce her candidacy for mayor. Current Mayor Dan Horrigan announced he won’t run for reelection in 2023.

City Council Ward 8 representative Shammas Malik, cellphone store manager Joshua Schaffer, Akron Deputy Mayor for Intergovernmental Affairs Marco Sommerville and Summit County Council District 4 representative Jeff Wilhite are also running.

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Who is Tara Mosley?

Mosley, 51, was born and raised in Akron, attending Central Hower High School and the University of Akron before transferring to the Academy of Court Reporting.

She’s previously worked as the office manager at Parms Law Firm, a paralegal at White Hat Management, a bailiff at  Akron Municipal Court and at the U.S. Postal Service, according to her City Council biography.

A mother of five and grandmother of 12, Mosley had two children before graduating high school. She said she’s always been devoted to public service to give back to her city.

“I was in a unique position having two kids in high school, so I’ve seen the problems firsthand, and I think it's because of what I've experienced throughout my life and throughout the work that I've done in the community, it puts me in a unique position to serve this community in a great way,” she said.

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Mosley, who represents one of the city's most diverse and lowest income areas in Ward 5, was first elected to City Council in November 2013.

“I have proudly served Ward 5 for three consecutive terms,” she said. “I grew up here, raised my family here and know that a lot can be achieved in this city with good leadership. I do believe that I have been a good leader for the residents of Ward 5.”

Tara Mosley would focus on public safety, housing and jobs in Akron

If elected, Mosley said her priority areas as mayor would be public safety, housing and jobs, which she said have also been priority areas for her while on City Council.

She highlighted related legislation she’s worked on, including putting dashboard cameras in city police cars, the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) legislation and banning conversion therapy for minors.

“I've done the work, and it’s been community-centered, and I think that's what's important,” she said.

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During Tuesday's interview, Mosley repeatedly said the city is “at a crossroads.” Mosley said the biggest issue currently facing the city is public safety.

“I just think creating a more equitable justice system by working to build trust between law enforcement and the community is a first priority of being mayor,” she said.

Mosley said she’d also want to “cut through the red tape of the bureaucracy to ensure more accountability and transparency in government.”

“Creating a more equitable system that serves the people is very important,” she added.

Mosley, who said she worked on her first political campaign at 17 years old, ran as the lieutenant governor candidate with former Congressman Dennis Kucinich running for governor in 2018. Their bid was unsuccessful. Mosley also volunteered on former President Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign and was a delegate on his second campaign.

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If elected as Akron mayor, Mosley would be the first woman and first person of color to hold the position.

“I need to give back, and I need that for not just for me but for my children because I truly believe that leading by example is very important to me,” she said. “This is what the city gave to me. It raised me. I love this city, and I want the best for our city and for our children.”

Contact Beacon Journal reporter Emily Mills at emills@thebeaconjournal.com and on Twitter @EmilyMills818.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: City Council member Tara Mosley running for Akron mayor