The Athens Mayoral Election: How are the candidates voting?

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in TNPs fall print.

If you’re a voter in the city of Athens, then you’re in for a busy November. Issue 1 concerns a woman’s right to an abortion and Issue 2 would legalize marijuana for recreational use statewide. Both are going to be on this year's ballot, and they have been dominating political discourse in Ohio.

This year in Athens, the mayor's office is up for grabs with incumbent Steve Patterson looking for another four years and Damon Krane giving candidacy another shot after his two previous campaigns. But, how will these two candidates be voting in November and how does it shape their policy? 

On Issue 1, Patterson will be voting yes.

“Being the father of twin 11-year-old daughters and with my wife Connie Patterson, to me it is so vitally important that, if nothing else, that we get Issue 1 passed in the affirmative,” Patterson said. “So that, in the state of Ohio, women have a choice over their own reproductive health care moving forward.”

Patterson has been a vocal supporter of abortion rights and access to reproductive care. He has been a decades-long supporter of Planned Parenthood, an organization that centers on helping women receive abortion access and contraceptives. They also have a wealth of information on medical procedures and sex education. In addition to Patterson’s personal support, the Athens County Democratic Party has voted unanimously to support Issue 1 and encourage party members to vote yes. 

“The alternative (to the issue being passed) to me, is absolutely devastating,” Patterson said. “For a woman’s right to choose to be restricted like this is absolute insanity.” 

Krane will also be voting yes on Issue 1, but for him, it’s more than just protecting a woman’s right to choose. 

“I am in favor of reproductive freedom, so I support Issue 1. It’s a fundamental human right,” Krane said. “And the push for reproductive rights in America is bigger than just Issue 1. Whether or not this passes is going to affect the national momentum around this issue. So it’s not only important for the people of Ohio, but it’s important for the whole country.” 

Krane is aware that his chances of winning the office of the mayor are a bit of a long shot. For Krane, this isn’t just about winning the race. It’s also about advancing his political agenda, and he views Issue 1 as a major part of this. He believes that this issue and similar issues that may arise could help advance Democratic turnout in Ohio and beyond.

“The overturning of Roe v. Wade has created such a huge backlash for Republicans,” Krane said. “I think they’ve sort of shot themselves in the foot with this one. And if there are more reproductive rights measures on the ballot next year they could end up affecting federal races.”

On Issue 2, both candidates are also planning on voting yes.

During his time as mayor, Patterson and Athens’ City Council changed the city’s previous cannabis ordinance. The change included removing fines for possession of marijuana and removing court fines for possession of marijuana within the city of Athens.

“It’s codified into city law,” Patterson said. “Which I immediately signed after it was passed by our City Council. And then for me personally, I don’t see an issue with legalizing marijuana.”

For Krane, legalizing marijuana for recreational use is a step in the right direction.

“The War on Drugs has always been politically motivated,” Krane said. “Particularly it has criminalized things that aren’t even very harmful, like marijuana. And so I think we’re getting to a point where at least when it comes to things like marijuana, we’re realizing that it doesn’t make sense for it to be a criminal justice issue, and I think more generally, we should be treating it as a substance abuse issue.”

Krane also pointed out that the criminalization of marijuana and the War on Drugs as a whole has disproportionately affected poor communities and communities of color. This has led to what he views to be many unfair incarcerations. Krane thinks that the country has a drug abuse problem, but he also believes that criminalizing marijuana does nothing to help the issue. 

“We have a public health crisis on our hands and it’s an indicator of very deep social problems,” Krane said. “Our issues are poverty, lack of access to healthcare, alienation, and many others,but possession isn’t something for which we should be locking non-violent offenders up.”

Both Patterson and Krane are hopeful that both issues will pass and believe it will be a huge step in the right direction. For Issue 1 especially, the candidates believe it will be extremely beneficial for the state of Ohio and for the nation, as it will mean that abortion becomes more accessible in the country.