Kent City Council elects new Ward 2 council member

Eric Dreger is the newest member of Kent City Council. Dreger was selected by council to serve Kent’s Ward 2, which was left vacant when Jack Amrhein ran for — and was elected to serve as — mayor in November of 2025. 

At a special council meeting on Jan. 14, council conducted interviews for the position. The other candidates were attorney Michael Lindow, who cited an interest in community engagement, and Christopher Clevenger, vice chair of the Portage Democrats, who was interested in bringing better communication to local government.

Each council member asked the same questions of the candidates, then went into executive session to discuss the candidates and their qualifications.

Dreger is a retired police officer who served 25 years with the Kent Police Department. He ran as an independent for one the three council-at-large seats in November. Dreger came in fourth with 930 votes and wants to focus on communication, transparency and budgeting.  

“For those who don’t know me, I’ve lived in Portage County my whole life. I went to Kent State and got hired my junior year there,” Dreger said. 

Dreger currently volunteers for the Socially Responsible Sweatshop of Kent and works as a yoga instructor. 

Ward 5 Council Member Heidi Shaffer Bish nominated Dreger for the position, and he was voted in with only two council members opposed. 

“Eric responded thoughtfully and respectfully to our questions and, importantly, ran for the at-large position. He worked for the job like we all did, and I respect that. He would provide excellent service to Ward 2 as a good listener and resource person,” Shaffer Bish said. 

Dreger was sworn in by Amrhein at the regular council meeting on Jan. 21 and will serve the remainder of Amrhein’s Ward 2 term until Dec. 31, 2027.