MANSFIELD — The Richland County Republican Party has placed a “help wanted” sign in the Mansfield City Council window.
Resumes and letters of interest are being sought from City of Mansfield residents interested in replacing outgoing At-large Councilwoman Stephanie Zader.
Zader announced Aug. 20 she is stepping down from her position, effective Sept. 30.
She will leave with more than a year left on her first four-year term.
“I came into office trying to make change and I’m watching things change in there,” the Republican said outside council chambers after the August meeting.
“I don’t necessarily know that I love the direction that it’s going. I’m not going to throw anyone under the bus, but I had some meetings with some local elected officials and they don’t see the need to work with me,” Zader said.
“So I’m going to step away and hope that things go a good direction for this city,” she said. “It’s been a long time coming.”
Zader was appointed by Republicans in January 2021 to fill an unexpired term and then was retained by city voters during the general election in November of that same year.
The At-large council seat will be on the ballot again in November 2025.
Members of the Mansfield Republican Party Central Committee will select a replacement to complete Zader’s term.
Under the City of Mansfield charter, her replacement must be selected in five to 15 days after the vacancy occurs.
Applicants must be a resident of the City of Mansfield and a registered Republican.
Candidate interviews will be conducted on Oct. 2 and the appointment meeting will be Oct. 10.
Both meetings will begin at 5 pm in the Community Room at the Mansfield Richland County Public Library main branch at 43 W. 3rd St.
The deadline to apply for consideration is Sept. 26 by 5 p.m.
Those interested should forward letters of interest & resumes to megan.whatman@gmail.com
