MANSFIELD — Don Bryant said Mansfield could and should be the most business-friendly city in Ohio.
Just six days away from the Democratic Party primary, the 33-year-old mayoral candidate said Wednesday he is excited about the city’s future.
“People want growth and opportunity … people want jobs here. If elected mayor, I will bring jobs to our city, no doubt,” Bryant told the party faithful during their final weekly luncheon of the primary season.
Bryant, in the final year of his first term as an at-large member of Mansfield City Council, faces political newcomer and entrepreneur Victoria Norris-Diez in the primary on Tuesday. The winner will take on two-term incumbent Republican Mayor Tim Theaker in November.
Nearing the end of a campaign he launched in December, Bryant said he will be pro-active in terms of business development and job growth.
“We cannot afford to sit around behind the scenes. We cannot afford to be idle anymore. I believe Mansfield should be and could be one of the most business friendly cities in Ohio, but we have to work on it. Sitting idle, it’s not possible,” Bryant said.
Bryant said he believes the city, a few years removed from state-imposed fiscal emergency, is ready to move forward, a theme he has echoed throughout his campaign.
“This primary election, it’s one for the books, it really is. I am proud to be the youngest person in the city’s history to throw my hat in the ring to become Mansfield’s next mayor. Not only am I throwing my hat in the ring, we are winning on Tuesday in this election,” he said.
Bryant was born and raised in Mansfield, where he graduated from the Mansfield City School District in 2003. He went on to study at The Ohio State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies, and Capella University, where he earned a master’s degree in education.
“I was born and raised here. I am a true Tyger, a true Mansfielder, I am someone who cares about our neighborhoods, someone who cares about our city,” Bryant said. “We are getting involved because we all love Mansfield. We care about the people who live here. we care about the city.
“I am running for mayor to change the conversation of what we used to have yesterday to what we can and will have moving forward. It’s time to grow these opportunities. It’s time to grow and invest in the potential here,” Bryant said.
In her campaign, Norris-Diez has stressed the fact she started a local business and created jobs. Bryant responded on Wednesday.
“Although I am not a business owner, I am a proven leader. I am someone who has created opportunities for many people,” he said. “This campaign is not about me, this election, it’s not about Don Bryant. It’s about the people, it’s about the issues.
“People want jobs. They want opportunity. They want safe streets, clean neighborhoods, people want recreation and activities for our youth,” Bryant said.
He stressed the need for voter turnout.
“Take a friend with you (to the polls). Take a family member with you. Take a bus full of people with you to get out there and vote. Democrat, Republican, independent. It doesn’t matter (to me). I am someone who cares about the City of Mansfield,” Bryant said.
“I am ready to move the City of Mansfield forward. Will you join me in that fight?”
