Politics & Government

Gina Mitten Seeks Third Term on Richmond Heights City Council

The filing period for the April election opened Monday in the city.

District 3 Councilwoman Gina Mitten became the first candidate to register Monday for the April election in .

She said she is seeking her third City Council term "because I love my city." Mitten said she thinks that she is the most qualified candidate for the position and that Richmond Heights will continue facing serious issues such as redevelopment in . The city also will have to address economic realities and remain fiscally responsible.

Deputy City Clerk Pat Villmer greeted Mitten in the lobby of City Hall. She handed her a small piece of paper with the number 1 written on it and took her paperwork.

Mitten told Villmer she collected 31 signatures over the weekend, a task that proved somewhat challenging because people were out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Candidates for the council are required to gather at least 25 signatures of registered voters, Villmer said. Mayoral candidates must have at least 50.

Four open council seats and the mayoral seat will be up for grabs in the spring. District 1 Councilman Paul Lore is the only sitting council member who will not be running again because of term limits. In addition to Mitten, Mayor James Beck, District 2 Councilman Jim Thomson and District 4 Councilwoman Camille Greenwald all have picked up candidate packets for the election, a list collected by the city shows.

Other residents who have picked up candidate packets are:

  • Mark Cockson (District 3)
  • Aaron Dickey (District 1)
  • Rob Jacknewitz (District 1)


Picking up a packet does not guarantee that a person will go through the remaining steps necessary to appear on the ballot.

The filing period ends at 5 p.m. Jan. 13.


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