Political newcomer Chris Hook defeated longtime Kent Council Member John Kuhar in the Nov. 7 election, according to unofficial results.
The race ends Kuhar’s 17-year career on Kent City Council, where he was known as one of the few conservative voices in a mostly progressive chamber. Kuhar doggedly supported the redevelopment of Kent’s downtown but also touted his commitment to Ward 4.
“Having a background in solar energy, I introduced an energy management policy. This led us to receive a grant of thousands of dollars to upgrade our water plant, saving residents money,” Kuhar said in his campaign publicity. “Nicknamed the budget hawk, I always watch over spending and insist on conserving when possible. … Concerned about pedestrian safety in our neighborhood, I spoke strongly to develop sidewalks on East Summit and a trail on Rhodes Road.”
Hook is a senior development officer for Equimundo, a social justice think tank based in Washington, and holds a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University.
Voters selected Hook by 237 votes to 48 for Kuhar. The unofficial election results may not include some provisional and other ballots.
In Ravenna, City Council Member Tim Calfee defeated write-in candidate John Sferra with 291 votes to 275.
In Streetsboro, Mayor Glenn Broska will continue to serve, having defeated his challengers, Jeff Fejes and Mohammad Shaikh. Broska collected 4,454 votes, and Fejes and Shaikh earned 999 and 38 respectively.
In Streetsboro city council races, Marianne Glenn won the Ward 1 race with 193 votes (more than double the total of other candidates), and Anthony Lombardo resisted a challenge from Chris Yonish for Ward 2 with 693 votes to 445.
And in Aurora, John Seitz defeated David Ludick 627 votes to 516 to replace Ward 6 Council Member Harold Hatridge, who did not seek re-election.
Ben Wolford is the editor and publisher of The Portager.
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