Akuchie, Davis Weese seek election to Mansfield City Council 3rd Ward seat

MANSFIELD — Rev. Eleazer Akuchie said he wants to continue what he started when he was elected four years ago.

Crystal Davis Weese said she wants to be a thought leader.

Both the Republican incumbent and the Democrat making her first run for office hope to represent Mansfield City Council’s 3rd Ward after the Nov. 4 election.

Mansfield City Council members, who meet twice a month, will be paid $9,263 in 2026. In terms of population, the 3rd Ward is the smallest in the city with 7,477 residents.

Akuchie won the seat in 2021 with 50.96 percent of the vote, defeating incumbent Democrat Jon VanHarlingen, according to the Richland County Board of Elections. Akuchie received 425 votes to beat VanHarlingen, who had 409 votes.

Just 17 percent of the ward’s 5,005 registered voters cast ballots in the race four years ago.

Here is a look at both candidates:

Rev. El Akuchie seeks second term in office

The 79-year-old Akuchie, who lives on Dawson Avenue, earned a bachelor’s degree in theology, a master’s degree in pastoral counseling and psychology and a doctorate degree in divinity. He came to the United States from Nigeria.

A former executive director of UMADAOP and a drug and alcohol counselor, “Rev. El” has served as a pastor at various churches and organizations and also worked in multiple positions at Richland County Juvenile Court.

Akuchie said he is seeking a second term to “continue building a safer, stronger and more vibrant Mansfield.”

“My faith, family and public service experience drive me to serve our community with compassion, wisdom and proven leadership,” Akuchie said. “As an immigrant missionary, I am grateful for the opportunities that have been afforded to me and it’s my honor to bless our community back.”

Akuchie said his three priorities in a second term would be public safety/emergency preparedness, community realization/blight reduction and economic growth/infrastructure upgrades.

He said he has supported the installation of a tornado siren in South Park and also supported hiring more police officers and firefighters. Akuchie said he would support continued investment for equipment for emergency forces training and equipment “to ensure rapid emergency response.”

In terms of supporting improvement in city parks, Akuchie said, “The people of our city are beautiful people and I would like our areas to reflect that beauty.”

“(I) helped pass legislation to prevent further urban decay and I will keep promoting projects that benefit and unify our city,” he said.

Akuchie said he voted for projects that revamped the Glessner Avenue corridor and improved the city’s aging water main system.

“We will continue to attract businesses and secure grants that protect public health and the city’s financial stability,” he said.

Akuchie cited his four decades as a husband and father of five “and mission work in six countries bringing unique insight into real-world challenges.”

“Everything I’ve done for this community has been hands-on, not theory. It’s about showing up, connecting with people and getting things done,” he said.

“I remain committed to serving with integrity and fiscal discipline to maintain a balanced budget for our city. Together, we can elevate safety, community and the future of Mansfield.”

(Below is a video of an interview done with the two candidates at Richland Source on Oct. 15 by Richland Source Deputy Managing Editor Carl Hunnell.)

Crystal Davis Weese hopes to unseat incumbent

The 54-year-old Davis Weese, who lives on Fairlawn Avenue, graduated from Madison High School in 1989 before earning a bachelor’s degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

She is a workforce career technology education teacher and is the current chair of the Richland County Youth Substance Abuse Coalition.

Davis Weese said she is running to ensure all 3rd Ward residents have a voice.

“I feel we have spent too much time on (political) party lines and not enough time on understanding the needs of our community,” she said, “or on lines of understanding our ability to make changes.

“My mission is not just mine; it belongs to every community member who believes their voice needs to be heard. We should have council members willing to be thought leaders, (who will) listen, advise, respond, put in the work and support realistic progression in our city … not just get elected and read what’s in front of them on the night of the meeting,” Davis Weese said.

Asked to identify her top three issues, Davis Weese identified prioritizing community care, unlocking community potential and fostering collaboration and collective impact.

“I am concerned about community safety, youth violence and blighted properties. This ward includes schools, hospitals, small businesses and a large number of maturing community neighbors, along with youthful, growing families who all need supportive care to flourish,” she said.

Davis Weese said she wants to revive a neighborhood Watch Group and work with law enforcement to target issues specific to the 3rd Ward. She said she also wants to create space for residents to “share concerns and create community strategies for improvements that can be taken to city leaders.”

She said she wants an “efficient process of locating blighted property owners, identifying the factors and impose ordinances when necessary.”

A member of the Richland County Transit Board, Davis Weese said she wants to work with unions, schools, transit and local workforce leaders to bring economic success to the city.

“I would like to help the unions gain more qualified workers through educational partnership support with local schools and to create educational plans that teach essential skills that can place job-ready individuals in prevailing wage positions right after training is complete,” she said.

Davis Weese said she will work across party lines, generational lines and socioeconomic factors to make improvements for future generations.

“Safety is an issue for all of us. What we are currently seeing in city violence must be addressed, or it will negatively impact all of us,” she said.

Davis Weese said she works daily with teens, community members and families to eliminate barriers to employment.

“I often have conversations with local union leaders and community partners about prevailing wages, barrier needs, skills and training needed,” she said.

Davis Weese said she volunteers in a variety of capacities, including weekly reading programs to help school-age children in grades kindergarten through third grade, supporting reentry coalitions and teaching NAMI peer-to-peer and family-to-family classes.

(Coming Wednesday: Michael Miranda and Amber Thompson are running to represent the 1st Ward on Mansfield City Council.)