ATHENS, Ohio — Incumbent Athens Mayor Steve Patterson, a Democrat, once again cruised to victory against independent challenger Damon Krane, a democratic socialist.
Patterson defeated Krane 81.05% to 18.95%, according to unofficial election night results.
“Two times now, the citizens of the city of Athens have spoken out by a substantial margin that they know who they want to lead the city,” Patterson said.
This was Krane’s second challenge to Patterson and his third bid for city office. Krane also was handily defeated in his 2019 bid for mayor, as well as his 2021 bid for an at-large city council seat. In 2019, Krane lost to Patterson 22.52% to 77.48%.
This year, Krane’s share of the vote decreased by over 3.5 percentage points, according to unofficial election night results. Krane said he was not surprised by the result and felt he had a positive impact by running.
“I got new voters registered; I gave the city its only contested race; I boosted turnout for Issues 1 and 2; and I made it harder for my opponents to ignore important issues,” Krane said. “So I’m very happy with my participation in this year’s election.”
Since he launched his latest election bid, Krane emphasized that he was not necessarily running to win, but to increase turnout among left-leaning voters. He said Patterson’s decision not to participate in debates other than one hosted by the League of Women Voters of Athens County reflected a “strategy of promoting ignorance (that) was a major factor in tonight’s results.”
Compared to previous off-year elections, turnout was up this year, both in Athens County and across the state. That’s likely thanks to state Issues 1 and 2, which allowed voters to weigh in on abortion and recreational marijuana laws.
Though Krane and Patterson ostensibly agreed about the importance of many issues, Krane frequently took aim at Patterson’s record, which the mayor defended.
Patterson, who will begin his third four-year term in January, said his goals for his next term include expanding housing availability, working to decarbonize the city by introducing more solar energy, and economic development “and expanding our portfolio here in the city of Athens.”
In recent weeks, Krane emphasized the city entering into a $91,000 contract for the National League of Cities “Race, Equity and Leadership” training program while Patterson was on the council for that program in 2021.
According to records Krane provided to the Independent, the Ohio Ethics Commission is reviewing his complaint that Patterson encouraging the council to contract with the program violated Ohio law, due to Patteron’s affiliation with the council. (The Independent is working to cover this story separately.)
“The facts will bear themselves out, and I’m actually looking to the facts bearing themselves out,” Patterson said. “I have (not), nor has my staff, ever been approached by the Ohio Ethics Commission.”
Patterson has served as mayor since 2016. His election in 2015 was uncontested.
Patterson said he is “absolutely excited” to serve a third term “because I think we see a lot of very progressive movement for the city of Athens.” He added he will “continue moving our city forward in a positive trajectory.”
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