Columbus Promise, pre-K, youth programs, summer jobs
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Every council vote
Promises
Said vs. delivered
Budget
Dollar breakdown
2027 Races
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Meetings
What happened
Official Scorecard — June 2025 to June 2026
How Your Officials Vote on What Matters
The mayor and all nine council members graded A–F across nine issues — from city hall to the statehouse.
01
Mobility
Transit, COTA, LinkUS, bike/ped
02
Affordability
Housing, shelter, zoning, displacement
03
Creative Economy
Arts, nightlife, venues, cultural space
04
Public Safety
Police budget, oversight, crisis response
05
Development
Zoning, subsidies, tax abatements
06
Transparency
Budget honesty, campaign finance
07
Energy & Environment
Climate, solar, EVs, recycling
08
Immigration
Sanctuary policy, ICE, services
09
Education & Childcare
Columbus Promise, pre-K, youth
How to read these grades
Every grade on this page measures how closely an official's votes matched Public Signal Group's own published policy positions — not a neutral ranking. We state a position on 8 of 9 issues (no position on professional sports subsidies) and grade alignment to it. See exactly what we grade against, then judge the underlying votes for yourself — hover any issue grade for the specific position behind it.
What We Grade Against — Published Positions
These are PSG's own stated positions, decided and published in advance. Every letter grade below is a measure of alignment to the position stated here for that issue — it is not an independent or neutral assessment of the vote itself.
Mobility: Supports full LinkUS BRT funding and delivery; supports multi-modal infrastructure; supports transit fare equity.
Affordability: Supports affordable housing production; supports tenant protections and rental accountability; opposes cuts to shelter and social services.
Creative Economy: Supports public investment in cultural infrastructure with public-benefit terms. No position on professional sports subsidies.
Public Safety: Supports civilian oversight; supports non-police crisis response; supports transparency in use-of-force and overtime spending.
Development: Supports zoning reform for housing supply; supports inclusionary requirements; supports small business access to contracts.
Transparency: Supports published budget transparency; opposes waiving competitive bidding without public justification.
Energy & Environment: Supports municipal renewable energy; supports recycling expansion and green infrastructure.
Immigration: Supports local non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement absent judicial warrants.
Failed housing promise (41%). Broke creative economy and transparency commitments. $30M budget understatement. Auditor Kilgore resigned; Jacquelin Lewis appointed April 27, 2026. 70%+ of campaign funds from real estate and development industries (campaign finance records).
Executive Actions & Promises
1,000 Affordable Housing Units by 2025BROKEN — 412 delivered (41%)
Creative Economy Task Force by Mid-2025BROKEN — Never convened
Layer 3 — Direction (aligned, opposed, or absent):
Aligned = +1 × (structural × contest)
Opposed = 0
Absent = not scored (displayed for transparency)
Sponsored/led = 1.5× the aligned value
Formula:Score = Σ(structural × contest × direction) / Σ(structural × contest), absences excluded from denominator. Normalized to 0–100% and converted to letter grade.
Absences: Tracked and displayed but excluded from the score. Only votes where the official was present are calculated.
No-position items: Some votes (e.g., professional sports subsidies) are tracked and displayed but Public Signal Group takes no position. These do not affect any grade.
Mayor: Scored on executive actions — budget proposals, program delivery, appointments, and kept/broken commitments.
County/State: Same three-layer system applied to resolutions, legislative votes, and policy actions at each level.
Grade scale: A (90–100%) • B (80–89%) • C (70–79%) • D (60–69%) • F (<60%). Click any card to see the math.
City Council
B+
Melissa Green
District 6 • Since 2023
Challenged budget opacity. Opposed Fury grant. Restored shelter funding. Called Ginther's budget "hoping, wishing and praying."
SPONSORED: Recycling expansion to all city facilities (0237-2026)Sponsor
Led lead waterline removal programsLed effort
Removed milkweed from noxious weed list (pollinators)Led effort
Public Safety (B)
Voted YES: Issue 5 Crisis ResponseAligned
Voted YES: Wilson settlementAligned
Voted YES: Jail contractAligned
Affordability (B-)
Voted YES: Rental RegistryAligned
Voted YES: Columbus Promise restorationAligned
Creative Economy (B-)
Voted YES: NWSL Soccer public fundingNot aligned
Mobility (B-)
Voted YES: COTA bus shelter pilotAligned
Franklin County Commission
B
Kevin L. Boyce
Commissioner • Board President • Since 2017
Declared racism a public health crisis. Led RISE Together. $1.35M Magnet Fund for affordable housing. SEBE contracting up 44% to $28.7M.
Key Votes
$1.35M Magnet Fund — 315 Units (Res. 0760-25)YES
$2.15B County Budget 2026YES
SEBE Contracting Expansion ($28.7M)YES
HUD Entitlement Programs ($3.88M)YES
Community Partnership Grants Q2 ($6.2M)YES
Crisis Care Center ExpansionYES
Infrastructure Works Renewal ($5M)YES
B
John O'Grady
Commissioner • Since 2009 • Longest-serving
Led Infrastructure Works revolving loan. Nationwide Arena financing. 17 years on commission. Strong on economic development. Cut own budget 11% in 2026.
Key Votes
$1.35M Magnet Fund — 315 Units (Res. 0760-25)YES
$2.15B County Budget 2026YES
SEBE Contracting Expansion ($28.7M)YES
HUD Entitlement Programs ($3.88M)YES
Community Partnership Grants Q2 ($6.2M)YES
Infrastructure Works Renewal ($5M)YES (Sponsor)
Commissioners Budget Cut (‑11%)YES
B+
Erica C. Crawley
Commissioner • First Black woman commissioner • Navy veteran
Led childcare access and maternal health initiatives. Founded Ohio Black Maternal Health Caucus. Strong on housing, immigration, education. Navy veteran.
Key Votes
$1.35M Magnet Fund — 315 Units (Res. 0760-25)YES
$2.15B County Budget 2026YES
SEBE Contracting Expansion ($28.7M)YES
HUD Entitlement Programs ($3.88M)YES
Community Partnership Grants Q2 ($6.2M)YES
Jail Medical Services Contract ($1.8M)YES
Questioned Maternal Health Cuts— (Raised concerns)
Key County Officials
C+
Sheriff Dallas Baldwin
Sheriff • Since 2017 • ICE cooperation controversy
B
Shayla D. Favor
Prosecutor • Since 2025 • First woman, first person of color
B+
Michael Stinziano
Auditor • Open data champion • Rental Registry
Ohio State Government
D
Mike DeWine
Governor • Since 2019 • Term-limited (R)
Signed preemption bills blocking Columbus local authority. Signed SB 52 allowing counties to ban solar/wind. Supported ICE enforcement. Term-limited 2026. GOP trifecta governor.
Executive Actions & Preemption Record
Signed SB 52 — Counties can ban solar/windSIGNED — 31 counties banned solar
Signed HB 430 — Preempt local rent controlSIGNED — Columbus cannot stabilize rents
SB 172 — Mandate local ICE cooperationPENDING — Passed Senate, House postponed
Signed preemption of local minimum wageSIGNED — Columbus cannot raise wages
Signed preemption of local gun ordinancesSIGNED — Columbus cannot pass gun safety
Flavored tobacco preemption attemptLOST — 10th District ruled unconstitutional
OH Supreme Court — 6-1 Republican majorityMajority appointed by DeWine
LGBTQ+ protections — no statewide lawNO ACTION — Columbus local protections only
State budget — Columbus funding impactFederal ARPA pass-through ended
Term statusTERM-LIMITED — Cannot run again
Ohio Senate — 33 Members (24R, 9D)
Official
Chamber
District
Party
Grade
Robert McColley
Senate
SD-1
R
D+
Theresa Gavarone
Senate
SD-2
R
D+
Michele Reynolds
Senate
SD-3
R
C-
George Lang
Senate
SD-4
R
C-
Stephen Huffman
Senate
SD-5
R
C-
Willis Blackshear Jr.
Senate
SD-6
D
B
Steve Wilson
Senate
SD-7
R
C-
Louis W. Blessing, III
Senate
SD-8
R
C-
Catherine Ingram
Senate
SD-9
D
B
Kyle Koehler
Senate
SD-10
R
C-
Paula Hicks-Hudson
Senate
SD-11
D
B
Susan Manchester
Senate
SD-12
R
C-
Nathan Manning
Senate
SD-13
R
C-
Terry Johnson
Senate
SD-14
R
C-
Hearcel Craig
Senate
SD-15
D
B+
Beth Liston
Senate
SD-16
D
B+
Shane Wilkin
Senate
SD-17
R
C-
Jerry Cirino
Senate
SD-18
R
C-
Andrew Brenner
Senate
SD-19
R
C-
Tim Schaffer
Senate
SD-20
R
C-
Kent Smith
Senate
SD-21
D
B
Mark J. Romanchuk
Senate
SD-22
R
C-
Nickie Antonio
Senate
SD-23
D
B
Bill Reineke
Senate
SD-24
R
C-
Bill DeMora
Senate
SD-25
D
B+
Frank Hoagland
Senate
SD-26
R
C-
Kristina Roegner
Senate
SD-27
R
C-
Matt Dolan
Senate
SD-28
R
C-
Kirk Schuring
Senate
SD-29
R
C-
Al Cutrona
Senate
SD-30
R
C-
Sandra O'Brien
Senate
SD-31
R
C-
Michael Rulli
Senate
SD-32
R
C-
Michael Sheehy
Senate
SD-33
D
B-
Ohio House — 99 Members (65R, 34D)
Official
Chamber
District
Party
Grade
Dontavius Jarrells
House
HD-1
D
B+
Latyna Humphrey
House
HD-2
D
B+
Ismail Mohamed
House
HD-3
D
B+
Beryl Brown Piccolantonio
House
HD-4
D
B+
Meredith Lawson-Rowe
House
HD-5
D
B+
Christine Cockley
House
HD-6
D
B+
Allison Russo
House
HD-7
D
B+
Anita Somani
House
HD-8
D
B+
Munira Abdullahi
House
HD-9
D
B+
Mark Sigrist
House
HD-10
D
B+
Crystal Lett
House
HD-11
D
B+
Brian Stewart
House
HD-12
R
C-
Tristan Rader
House
HD-13
D
B
Sean Brennan
House
HD-14
D
B
Chris Glassburn
House
HD-15
D
B
Bride Rose Sweeney
House
HD-16
D
B
Mike Dovilla
House
HD-17
R
C-
Juanita Brent
House
HD-18
D
B
Phil Robinson
House
HD-19
D
B
Terrence Upchurch
House
HD-20
D
B
Eric Synenberg
House
HD-21
D
B
Darnell Brewer
House
HD-22
D
B
Dan Troy
House
HD-23
D
B
Dani Isaacsohn
House
HD-24
D
B
Cecil Thomas
House
HD-25
D
B
Ashley Bryant Bailey
House
HD-26
D
B
Rachel Baker
House
HD-27
D
B
Karen Brownlee
House
HD-28
D
B
Cindy Abrams
House
HD-29
R
C-
Mike Odioso
House
HD-30
R
C-
Bill Roemer
House
HD-31
R
C-
Jack K. Daniels
House
HD-32
R
C-
Veronica Sims
House
HD-33
D
B
Derrick Hall
House
HD-34
D
B
Steve Demetriou
House
HD-35
R
C-
Andrea White
House
HD-36
R
C-
Tom Young
House
HD-37
R
C-
Desiree Tims
House
HD-38
D
B
Phil Plummer
House
HD-39
R
C-
Rodney Creech
House
HD-40
R
C-
Erika White
House
HD-41
D
B
Elgin Rogers Jr.
House
HD-42
D
B
Michele Grim
House
HD-43
D
B
Josh Williams
House
HD-44
R
C-
Jennifer Gross
House
HD-45
R
C-
Thomas Hall
House
HD-46
R
C-
Diane Mullins
House
HD-47
R
C-
Scott Oelslager
House
HD-48
R
C-
Jim Thomas
House
HD-49
R
C-
Matthew Kishman
House
HD-50
R
C-
Jodi Salvo
House
HD-51
R
C-
Gayle L. Manning
House
HD-52
R
C-
Joe Miller
House
HD-53
D
B
Kellie Deeter
House
HD-54
R
C-
C. Michelle Teska
House
HD-55
R
C-
Adam Mathews
House
HD-56
R
C-
Jamie Callender
House
HD-57
R
C-
Lauren McNally
House
HD-58
D
B
Tex Fischer
House
HD-59
R
C-
Brian Lorenz
House
HD-60
R
C-
Beth Lear
House
HD-61
R
C-
Jean Schmidt
House
HD-62
R
C-
Adam Bird
House
HD-63
R
C-
Nick Santucci
House
HD-64
R
C-
David Thomas
House
HD-65
R
C-
Sharon Ray
House
HD-66
R
C-
Melanie Miller
House
HD-67
R
C-
Thaddeus Claggett
House
HD-68
R
C-
Kevin Miller
House
HD-69
R
C-
Brian Lampton
House
HD-70
R
C-
Levi Dean
House
HD-71
R
C-
Heidi Workman
House
HD-72
R
C-
Jeff LaRe
House
HD-73
R
C-
Bernard Willis
House
HD-74
R
C-
Haraz Ghanbari
House
HD-75
R
C-
Marilyn John
House
HD-76
R
D+
Meredith Craig
House
HD-77
R
C-
Matt Huffman
House
HD-78
R
D
Monica Robb Blasdel
House
HD-79
R
C-
Johnathan Newman
House
HD-80
R
C-
James Hoops
House
HD-81
R
C-
Roy Klopfenstein
House
HD-82
R
C-
Ty Mathews
House
HD-83
R
C-
Angela King
House
HD-84
R
C-
Tim Barhorst
House
HD-85
R
C-
Tracy Richardson
House
HD-86
R
C-
Riordan McClain
House
HD-87
R
C-
Gary Click
House
HD-88
R
C-
D.J. Swearingen
House
HD-89
R
C-
Justin Pizzulli
House
HD-90
R
C-
Bob Peterson
House
HD-91
R
C-
Mark Johnson
House
HD-92
R
C-
Jason Stephens
House
HD-93
R
C-
Kevin Ritter
House
HD-94
R
C-
Ty Moore
House
HD-95
R
C-
Ron Ferguson
House
HD-96
R
C-
Adam Holmes
House
HD-97
R
C-
Mark Hiner
House
HD-98
R
C-
Sarah Fowler
House
HD-99
R
C-
All 132 members of the 136th Ohio General Assembly. Grades based on votes affecting Columbus local authority, preemption, transit funding, housing, and public safety.
Statewide Elected Officials
D+
Dave Yost
Attorney General (R) • Enforces state preemption laws
D
Frank LaRose
Secretary of State (R) • Election admin, ballot access
C
Keith Faber
State Auditor (R) • Local government oversight
C-
Robert Sprague
State Treasurer (R) • Debt management
U.S. Congress — Ohio Delegation
U.S. Senate (2R, 0D)
D
Jon Husted
US Senator (R) • Appointed Jan 2025 • Replaced JD Vance (now VP)
D
Bernie Moreno
US Senator (R) • Elected Nov 2024 • Defeated Sherrod Brown
U.S. House — Ohio (10R, 5D)
Official
District
Party
Note
Grade
Greg Landsman
OH-1
D
Cincinnati
B
David Taylor
OH-2
R
Southern Ohio
D
Joyce Beatty
OH-3
D
Columbus
B+
Jim Jordan
OH-4
R
W. Ohio • Judiciary Chair
D-
Bob Latta
OH-5
R
NW Ohio
C-
Michael Rulli
OH-6
R
E. Ohio
D
Max Miller
OH-7
R
NE Ohio
D
Warren Davidson
OH-8
R
SW Ohio
D-
Marcy Kaptur
OH-9
D
Toledo • Longest-serving woman in House
B
Michael Turner
OH-10
R
Dayton • Intel Committee
C-
Shontel Brown
OH-11
D
Cleveland
B
Troy Balderson
OH-12
R
Columbus-adjacent
C-
Emilia Sykes
OH-13
D
Akron
B+
David Joyce
OH-14
R
NE Ohio
C
Mike Carey
OH-15
R
Columbus-adjacent
C-
Columbus is primarily in OH-3 (Beatty, D). OH-12 (Balderson, R) and OH-15 (Carey, R) cover Columbus suburbs. Emilia Sykes represents OH-13 (Akron).
▶ How grades are calculated
Grades are based on 12 months of data (June 2025–June 2026). We track every vote, committee action, sponsored legislation, and public commitment. Each is weighted 1–3 by impact. A = 90–100%, B = 80–89%, C = 70–79%, D = 60–69%, F < 60%. The mayor is scored on executive actions. County commissioners are scored on resolutions, budget decisions, and appointments. State officials are scored on legislative votes, preemption actions, and policy impact on Columbus.
Scorecard updates published weekly in The Brief on FAULTLINE.
Every public commitment by city, county, and state officials — tracked to delivery.
14
Highlighted
17
Kept
20
In Progress
11
Broken
AffordabilityBroken
Mayor Ginther
1,000 Affordable Housing Units by 2025
"We will create 1,000 affordable housing units in Columbus by the end of 2025."
Campaign speech, Oct 2023
412 delivered (41.2%). Deadline passed. No public update.
CreativeBroken
Mayor Ginther
Creative Economy Task Force by Mid-2025
"We will convene a task force to develop a creative economy strategy."
State of the City, March 2024
No task force. No members. No timeline. 12+ months past deadline.
TransparencyBroken
Mayor Ginther
Transparent Budget — No Mid-Year Surprises
"We are committed to a transparent, predictable budget process."
Budget address, Nov 2024
Administration understated 2025 costs by $30M. Auditor resigned. $25M borrowed without hearing.
MobilityExpired
Mayor Ginther
Vision Zero — Zero Traffic Deaths by 2025
"Columbus will eliminate traffic fatalities by 2025."
Vision Zero launch, 2019
82 traffic fatalities in 2025. Target was zero.
AffordabilityKept
Shannon Hardin
Restore Columbus Promise Tuition Funding
"I will fight to restore Columbus Promise funding that the mayor cut."
Press statement, Jan 2026
$2M amendment passed 6–3 on Feb 10, 2026. Kept.
AffordabilityKept
Shannon Hardin
Restore Shelter Board Funding
"We will not let the mayor's budget cut homeless services."
Council floor, Jan 2026
Restored to $12.9M on Jun 3, 2026. Passed 7–2. Kept.
MobilityIn Progress
COTA
West Broad BRT Groundbreaking by Late 2026
"We expect to break ground on West Broad by late 2026."
COTA CEO, Board meeting, Jan 2026
LinkUS program's first groundbreaking occurred June 15, 2026 — the Hoover Road pedestrian bridge in Grove City ($2.2M), project 1 of 83 planned through 2030. Design on West Broad BRT itself 90% complete; construction tentatively starts late 2026.
Public SafetyIn Progress
City Council
Issue 5 — Non-Police Crisis Teams by 2028
"Non-police crisis teams operational by February 1, 2028; 24/7 by February 2030."
Charter amendment, May 2026
Ballot measure passed. Implementation deadline: Feb 2028. Tracking begins.
ImmigrationKept
City Council
Block ICE Access to City Facilities
"We will not allow federal immigration agents to use city property or city employees for enforcement."
Barroso de Padilla, Council floor, Feb 2026
Five emergency ordinances passed 9–0 on Feb 23, 2026. Kept.
EducationBroken
Mayor Ginther
$10M Commitment to Columbus Promise
"We are committing $10 million to make Columbus Promise permanent."
Ginther announcement, February 2025
Pledged $10M in Feb 2025, then zeroed the program from his Nov 2025 budget. Council restored $2M. Applications frozen for 2 months.
AffordabilityKept
City Council
$1.9B Bond Package — Voter Approved
"This bond will transform Columbus infrastructure for the next generation."
Bond campaign, Sep 2025
Placed on ballot and passed November 2025. $500M housing, $500M utilities, $400M public services. Delivery tracking begins.
Public SafetyKept
City Council
Restore Community Grants & PrimaryOne Health Funding
"We will restore the funding the mayor cut for courts, health care, and community grants."
Council leadership, Oct 2025
$7.2M restored using marijuana tax revenue and Easton fund carryover. Passed 9–0 on Nov 24, 2025.
DevelopmentIn Progress
City Council
$500M Housing Bond — Implementation
"This $500 million bond will be a game-changer for affordable housing."
Bond campaign materials, Sep 2025
Bond passed Nov 2025. Division of Housing Stability created ($18M operating budget). First allocations flowing: Clover Glen II (96-unit affordable senior housing, Galloway) financed via $56M KeyBank package with $2.3M from the Affordable Housing Bond Fund. Separately, Council approved the Kennedy Road rezoning 9-0 — 256 units, 77 (30%) affordable at 80% AMI or below.
EnergyBroken
Mayor Ginther
Carbon Neutral Columbus by 2050 — Progress Report
"Columbus will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 with a 45% reduction by 2030."
Climate Action Plan, 2021 (updated 2025)
45 MW solar installed on city property. Weekly recycling upgraded. But no independent progress audit published. 2030 target at risk without acceleration.
Budget Tracker — FY 2025–2026
Where the Money Goes
City, county, and state budgets — made readable.
$2.7B
Total
$1.26B
General Fund
78%
Income Tax
$25M
From Reserves
■ Structural Risk
Columbus is projecting a $15M deficit for 2026. Police overtime has consumed 75% of budget; Fire overtime 98%. Full-year overtime is projected at $48M against $28M budgeted (a 45% cut from 2025 spending levels). Borrowing $25M from debt reserves. Health insurance $4M over. Four union contracts being renegotiated.
Flat • Most transit via sales tax • 35–40 electric buses out of service on manufacturer recall (repairs begin Jul 2026); COTA buying 38 natural gas buses by 2027 to offset
Arts & Culture
$4.2M
0.3%
–5.3% • Three-tenths of one percent
Franklin County — $2.15 Billion
$2.15B
Total Budget
30%
Partnership Cuts
~65%
Justice & Safety
AAA
Bond Rating
■ County Budget Alert
ARPA funds ($429M+) have expired. Community partnerships cut 30% to $24.75M. Economic development cut 29%. Commissioners cut their own budget 11%. First targeted cuts in over a decade.
County Budget Allocation
Justice & Public Safety
~$1.4B
~65%
Includes sheriff, courts, prosecutor, jail, probation
Human Services & Health
~$215M
~10%
Job & Family Services, ADAMH, Board of DD, Veterans Services
Economic Development & Planning
~$65M
~3%
–29% from 2025 • Magnet Fund, CDBG, HOME, SEBE
Community Partnerships
$24.75M
~1.2%
–30% from 2025 • Grants to nonprofits — arts, health, youth, housing orgs
Sanitary Engineering
~$120M
~5.6%
+10% • Sewer infrastructure, stormwater
County Engineer (Roads)
~$85M
~4%
+10% • County road infrastructure
Commissioners & Administration
~$45M
~2.1%
–11% • Commissioners cut own budget
▶ What to watch (County)
ARPA cliff: Franklin County received $429M+ in pandemic relief. That money is gone. Programs funded with ARPA (RISE rental assistance, Crisis Care Center expansion, North Market project) either need new funding or end. Community partnerships: The 30% cut hits nonprofits providing maternal health, youth programs, housing assistance, and arts programming. Three maternal health programs lost funding. Sheriff ICE policy: The jail's ICE cooperation procedure is under review but no commission vote has been taken to change it. The county spends significant public safety dollars housing people who are then transferred to ICE. SEBE ceiling: $28.7M in small/emerging business contracts is strong but watch whether the 29% economic development cut erodes the pipeline.
Ohio State Budget — Impact on Columbus
$88B
State Biennial Budget
$15M
State Min Wage (passed 2025)
6-1
OH Supreme Court (R)
GOP
Trifecta (Gov+House+Senate)
State Preemption of Columbus Authority
Minimum wagePreempted
Columbus cannot set a local minimum wage above state floor
Rent control / stabilizationPreempted
HB 430 (2022) prohibits local rent regulation
Gun regulationsPreempted
State preempts local firearm ordinances
Immigration / sanctuaryPending (SB 172)
Passed Senate Jun 2025; would override Columbus sanctuary policy. Separately, Ohio now has 287(g) ICE agreements in 11 counties (up from 0 at start of 2025) — Columbus/Franklin County is not among them. Columbus Police paused nationwide Flock Safety data sharing Jun 3, 2026 and revoked access for any agency holding a 287(g) agreement.
Flavored tobacco banColumbus won (so far)
10th District ruled state preemption unconstitutional Jul 2025. OH Supreme Court review pending.
Solar/wind sitingPreempted (SB 52)
Counties can veto utility-scale renewables. 31 counties banned solar.
▶ Why state preemption matters
Ohio’s GOP-trifecta statehouse actively blocks Columbus from addressing local problems. The city cannot raise the minimum wage, enact rent control, pass gun safety laws, or (potentially) maintain its sanctuary policy. The flavored tobacco case at the Ohio Supreme Court (6-1 Republican) will determine whether the Home Rule Amendment protects ANY local authority from state override. This is the structural constraint that makes local accountability harder and state accountability essential.
▶ What to watch
Deficit: City projecting a $15M shortfall for 2026. Overtime: $28M budgeted; Police overtime 75% consumed, Fire overtime 98% consumed, full-year projection $48M (a 45% cut from 2025 spending). Admin "forgot" $30M in personnel costs. Unions: Four contracts up. 2% budgeted vs 4.5% recent settlements. Reserves: $25M from debt set-aside while adding $1.9B in bonds. Auditor: Jacquelin Lewis appointed April 27, 2026, replacing Megan Kilgore (resigned). Oversees $1.2B income tax and $5B debt.
2027 Elections — Tracking Now
On the Record Before the Vote
Candidate positions across all nine issues. City, county, and state candidates. Non-responses published as "Declined to answer."
How to read these answers
These are Public Signal Group's own survey questions, sent to every candidate. A Yes or a No is simply the candidate's stated position — neither is scored as the correct answer, so we don't color one green and the other red. Only "Declined to answer" is called out, since that's a different thing: a candidate choosing not to state a position at all.
Mayor • Primary May 2027 • General November 2027
Andrew Ginther
Incumbent • Since 2016 • 4th Term
D+
$1.1M cash • 70%+ from developers
Fund West Broad BRT at $230M?
Yes
COTA fare cap through 2030?
Declined
Cultural Space Protection?
Declined
Night Economy Director?
No
Quarterly budget transparency?
Declined
Inclusionary zoning?
No
Nightlife Advisory Board?
Declined
BRT anti-displacement?
Declined
Structural deficit analysis?
No
1 Yes • 3 No • 5 Declined
Shannon G. Hardin
Council President • Expected to Declare
B+
$400K cash • Labor + community base
Fund West Broad BRT at $230M?
Yes
COTA fare cap through 2030?
Yes
Cultural Space Protection?
Yes
Night Economy Director?
Yes
Quarterly budget transparency?
Yes
Inclusionary zoning?
Yes
Nightlife Advisory Board?
Yes
BRT anti-displacement?
Yes
Structural deficit analysis?
Yes
9 Yes • 0 No • 0 Declined
Also on the Ballot
City Attorney
Klein (incumbent) • $1M+
City Auditor
Jacquelin Lewis (appt. Apr 2026) • $1.2B oversight
All 9 Council
Every seat on the ballot
Meeting Intelligence
Meetings
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Where We're Headed Next
Worthington, Ohio
Coming Soon
See the council we'd track and join the waitlist.
Detroit, Michigan
Coming Soon
See the council we'd track and join the waitlist.
Atlanta, Georgia
Coming Soon
See the council we'd track and join the waitlist.
What paying for Pro does not change
Every tier sees the same PASSED/FAILED tally, the same per-member vote breakdown, and the same sourcing. Pro is faster access and wider reach for people whose job requires it — not a different editorial position. A 9–0 vote and a 6–3 vote get shown the same way, Free tier or Pro.
Why isn't everything free?
The record is free — every vote, every promise, every meeting, for every city we cover. Pro pays for the tools that watch it for you: alerts, exports, and coverage across more cities than one person can track by hand.
What happens when you add a new city?
Free tier includes every city we cover, automatically. Pro's cross-city watchlists expand the same way — no separate purchase per city.
Can a campaign use this?
The free record, yes — anyone can. Team & Enterprise access is not available for electioneering or opposition research tied to a specific race. That's a contract term, not a technical limit.
Expansion — Not Yet Live
Worthington, Ohio
The same public record, the same standard, coming to Worthington City Council. Free tier, always.
This page is a preview, not a product
Worthington is not live on Public Signal today. Nothing below reflects a real vote, grade, or piece of legislation — it's who we'd track and what we'd track it on, once this city is actually built. Join the waitlist and we'll notify you the moment that changes.
Worthington City Council
Rachael Dorothy
President of Council
Pete Bucher
Council Member
Joycelyn Dong
Council Member
Rebecca Hermann
Council Member
Amy Lloyd
Council Member
Glen Pratt
Council Member
Maria Ramirez
Council Member
What We'd Track
01
Mobility
Transit, bike/ped, Vision Zero
02
Affordability
Housing, shelter, zoning, displacement
03
Creative Economy
Arts, nightlife, venues, cultural space
04
Public Safety
Police budget, oversight, crisis response
05
Development
Zoning, subsidies, tax abatements
06
Transparency
Budget honesty, campaign finance
07
Energy & Environment
Climate, solar, EVs, recycling
08
Immigration
Sanctuary policy, ICE, services
09
Education & Childcare
Youth programs, pre-K, summer jobs
Expansion — Not Yet Live
Detroit, Michigan
The same public record, the same standard, coming to Detroit City Council. Free tier, always.
This page is a preview, not a product
Detroit is not live on Public Signal today. Nothing below reflects a real vote, grade, or piece of legislation — it's who we'd track and what we'd track it on, once this city is actually built. Join the waitlist and we'll notify you the moment that changes.
Detroit City Council
James Tate
Council President • District 1
Coleman A. Young II
President Pro Tem • At-Large
Mary Waters
Councilmember • At-Large
Angela Whitfield-Calloway
Councilmember • District 2
Scott Benson
Councilmember • District 3
Latisha Johnson
Councilmember • District 4
Renata Miller
Councilmember • District 5
Gabriela Santiago-Romero
Councilmember • District 6
Denzel Anton McCampbell
Councilmember • District 7
What We'd Track
01
Mobility
Transit, bike/ped, Vision Zero
02
Affordability
Housing, shelter, zoning, displacement
03
Creative Economy
Arts, nightlife, venues, cultural space
04
Public Safety
Police budget, oversight, crisis response
05
Development
Zoning, subsidies, land bank & blight
06
Transparency
Budget honesty, campaign finance
07
Energy & Environment
Climate, solar, EVs, recycling
08
Immigration
Sanctuary policy, ICE, services
09
Education & Childcare
Youth programs, pre-K, summer jobs
Expansion — Not Yet Live
Atlanta, Georgia
The same public record, the same standard, coming to Atlanta City Council. Free tier, always.
This page is a preview, not a product
Atlanta is not live on Public Signal today. Nothing below reflects a real vote, grade, or piece of legislation — it's who we'd track and what we'd track it on, once this city is actually built. Join the waitlist and we'll notify you the moment that changes.