Columbus council holds public hearing on 10 finalists for District 7 vacancy

Columbus City Council held a public hearing to hear from 10 finalists being considered to fill the District 7 seat left vacant by Council member Favor and to solicit public feedback. Council President Shannon G. Hardin opened the hearing and explained the charter process for filling vacancies and said finalists and public speakers would be given three minutes each.

The hearing brought forward 10 finalists, each given three minutes to address council and describe their priorities and qualifications. Finalists who spoke included Dorothy Malone; Bailey Phillips; Tim Fulton; Catherine Curry D'Souza; Lisa Macy; Jesse Vogel; Denzel Porteous; Ado Bedi III; Otto Beatty III (listed as a finalist by the clerk but did not speak in the hearing excerpt); and Shanice Green. Robert Lease submitted a written statement that was shared with council and did not attend in person.

Why it matters: Council members will make an appointment under the city charter when a seat becomes vacant. Council President Hardin told the room that council will formally nominate and vote on an appointment during a regular council meeting in January; if a majority of council members vote to appoint a nominee, that person will be sworn in under the charter and Columbus City Code. No nomination or vote occurred during this hearing.

What the finalists said (selection of direct quotes and stated priorities) Dorothy Malone, a longtime Columbus resident and community worker, summarized her community service and advocacy and closed, repeating a line she said had been recommended to her: "I am kind. I am smart. I am important." Malone's written statement was distributed to council members after she was unable to stay for the entire hearing.

Bailey Phillips, a social worker who said she lives in Franklinton and works at the Reeb Center, spoke about housing, reentry and supports for neighbors: "I want to show my daughter how to be a strong person and a strong woman, and I want her to know what advocacy means." Several witnesses from the Reeb Center and Lower Lights Ministries testified in support of Phillips.

Tim Fulton, a lifelong Columbus resident, said he would treat the appointment as a short-term stewardship: "This is a one-year appointment. I will not be running for reelection," and said his priorities would include affordable housing, infrastructure and public safety.

Catherine Curry D'Souza (who asked to be called Kate) described more than two decades living in District 7 and her service on the Near East Area Commission. Speaking of maternal and infant health she said, "Coming into the hospital to have a baby should not be the most dangerous time in your life." Dozens of neighbors and community leaders spoke in support of her candidacy.

Lisa Macy (identified as a small-business owner and regulation specialist) emphasized housing, transportation and business development; she told council she would not run for reelection if appointed.

Jesse Vogel identified himself as both an applicant and a current candidate for the seat: "I am also running for this seat." Vogel described his housing-law practice, voter engagement goals and work organizing eviction outreach during the pandemic.

Denzel Porteous described District 7 as "dynamic and a diverse community" and cited his experience in education and LGBTQ advocacy; he said he would bring a lived perspective on housing and inclusion.

Ado Bedi III said he would serve as a bridge from the departing council member and pledged not to seek reelection if appointed.

Shanice Green described her priorities as "advocating for foster youth, strengthening families, and ensuring educational equity," referencing her own experience as a former foster youth and community leader.

Public testimony: dozens of residents, colleagues and community leaders spoke in favor of specific finalists. Endorsers included pastors, non‑profit directors, educators and neighborhood leaders who emphasized issues such as housing affordability, elder services, reentry support, educational equity and neighborhood engagement. Pastor Julius Lancaster spoke on behalf of Dorothy Malone, calling her "an outstanding candidate" and listing her long service record. Multiple witnesses spoke in support of Catherine Curry D'Souza and described her Near East Area Commission work; others gave personal testimonials supporting Bailey Phillips, Jesse Vogel and Shanice Green.

Process notes, authorities and next steps Council President Hardin explained the process laid out in the city charter and Columbus City Code: all applicants who met eligibility criteria (registered voters residing in District 7) were invited to apply; the clerk confirmed residency documentation; council members reviewed applications and each submitted up to three names for finalist consideration. The clerk compiled a list of finalists that was shared with council and with the applicants. According to remarks at the hearing, 32 people applied before the Monday, Dec. 9 deadline; about a dozen additional applicants were determined ineligible and were notified.

No appointment was made tonight. Hardin said council members may hold an executive session in January to discuss applicants and public testimony before formally nominating and voting during a regular meeting. The council rules cited at the hearing state a majority vote is required to appoint a nominee; the council president referenced "section 5 of the city charter and Columbus City Code section 111.35" as the governing provisions for the appointment process.

Meeting context: the hearing drew the 10 finalists and roughly 27 members of the public to give testimony (the clerk's timetable listed three‑minute remarks for each speaker). Council members present included Council President Shannon G. Hardin and other members who appeared in person and virtually. Several finalists explicitly stated they would not run for the seat if appointed; several endorsers urged council to appoint candidates with strong neighborhood ties and experience delivering services and outreach.

What council said it will do next: Council President Hardin said the council will schedule time in January to consider finalists and public testimony and will not take straw polls or votes in any executive session; nominations and any formal vote will occur at a regular meeting in January.

A note on spellings and titles: the hearing transcript used multiple forms of some names and local entities; this article uses the spellings and organizational names as provided by speakers or as standard in local public records (for example, "Reeb Center" for the Reeb Avenue Center and "Near East Area Commission" for the neighborhood commission).