Mayoral Candidates Will Shape 2027 Columbus Election
Multiple candidates are preparing for the 2027 mayoral race in Columbus as petition deadlines approach.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Elections
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Andrew Ginther will seek a fourth term as Columbus mayor in 2027, facing competition from Shannon Hardin and several other declared candidates. A total of eight individuals have pulled petitions to collect signatures for the upcoming mayoral contest.
Why it matters
The race will determine the future leadership of Columbus, with candidates needing to secure significant community support to qualify for the ballot. The outcome of the primary and general election cycles will set the city's political agenda for the next four years.
Candidates must collect at least 1,000 valid signatures and submit them by February 3 to appear on the ballot. If more than two candidates qualify, a primary election will be held on May 4.
The players
Andrew Ginther
He is the incumbent mayor of Columbus currently seeking his fourth term in office.
Shannon Hardin
He is a candidate for the 2027 Columbus mayoral election.
Samantha Marie Baker
She is a mayoral candidate who officially launched her campaign in September 2026.
Jenn Crayton
She is a Libertarian candidate running for the office of Columbus mayor.
Joe Motil
He is a potential mayoral challenger who has not yet filed formal petition paperwork.
The details
Samantha Marie Baker officially launched her campaign on September 11, joining a field that currently includes established figures like Andrew Ginther and Shannon Hardin. Other potential challengers, including Joe Motil and Jenn Crayton, are navigating the early stages of the filing process ahead of the winter deadline.
Timeline
September 11, 2026: Samantha Marie Baker launched her mayoral campaign.
September 17, 2026: Joe Motil had not yet pulled a petition to run.
February 3, 2027: Deadline to file petitions for the mayoral race.
May 4, 2027: Potential primary election for mayoral candidates.
November 2027: General election for Columbus mayor.
Political Context
The mayoral race operates under the rigid filing standards established by the Ohio Revised Code's municipal election petition requirements. These rules ensure that all candidates must demonstrate a baseline of community support before appearing on the ballot.
Residents should prepare for upcoming petition drives as candidates work to meet the signature requirement. Local voters will have a say in the city's future trajectory during the primary and general elections later in the cycle.
The takeaway
The early candidate field suggests a competitive environment as potential leaders prepare for the signature-gathering process. Voters can monitor the Franklin County board of elections for updates on official candidate filings as the primary deadline approaches.
What happens next
Candidates must finalize their petition collections by the February 3, 2027, filing deadline to qualify for the May 4 primary election.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming local cycle, visit the Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Columbus Dispatch.
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