At-large councilwoman Zader seeking nomination to be Mansfield mayor

Stephanie Zader has been focusing on this election for five years.

One of four Republican candidates for Mansfield mayor in the May 2 primary, Zader is a current councilwoman-at large.

"This is a make-it or break-it time for Mansfield," she said. "We're either going to continue to see municipalities around us outpace us, or we can start to flourish."

Zader is vying with Jim Holsinger, Jodie Perry and Linn Steward for the Republican nomination. The winner will face Democrat Sherry Vaught in the general election.

Mayor Tim Theaker is leaving office because of term limits.

Early voting begins Tuesday.

Zader was appointed as an at-large councilwoman in January 2021. She went on to defeat Christopher Beale in the primary election and Sam Dunn in the general election that year.

She is a Realtor and real estate investor.

Zader, 34, moved with her former husband to Dallas, Texas, a few years ago.

"So much was happening," she said. "I saw a lot of opportunities, and I wanted to bring that here."

Zader decided in get involved in politics in 2016

After attending an election party in 2016, Zader decided to get involved.

"I knew it would be a whole new administration," she said of the upcoming election slate.

Zader said her two daughters live in Mansfield, and her future grandchildren will probably live here, too.

"My kids and the city are my life," she said.

In her time on city council, Zader said she has spent a lot of time in each of the departments. She believes it is important to articulate what the city does.

As mayor, she said she would conduct a SWOT analysis for each department. SWOT analysis is a strategic planning and strategic management technique used to help a person or organization identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to business competition or project planning.

"I've told department heads that is my plan," Zader said. "What I've found is they've been glad to be part of the process."

Zader would give department heads autonomy to run their divisions

At the same time, she said she will give the supervisors the autonomy to run their departments. Zader said she wants to develop a plan of "where we want to be as a city and how we get there."

"We have to incentivize developers to come here," she said. "If we bring in businesses, we increase the population (and bring in more income tax)."

Zader previously told the News Journal she hopes to double the income tax base within five years of taking office.

"I have a goal of doubling that," she said. "If we increase revenue, we could improve a lot of things that need to be taken care of."

She has endorsements from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 688, North Central Ohio Building and Trades Council, Dream Huge Realty and Property Management, Interstate Battery and Pete Peterson.

Zader grew up in foster care as a child and moved to Mansfield in 2010.

"I grew up with a lot of different people. I grew up with a lot of different backgrounds," Zader said. "It was the perfect preparation for what I'm doing now."

Zader has welcomed 18 foster children into her home.

For the primary election, she has invested $22,000 of her money into her campaign.

"I believe in what I'm doing," Zader said. "It's important to me."

Zader has eight billboards and has targeted two particular dates for canvassing door-to-door. She and her volunteers plan to hit 4,000 to 5,000 residences on those days.

Zader said she is targeting Republican and swing voters.

"I want to see Mansfield be the best that it can possibly," she previously told the News Journal. "It's easy to say that, but I think my actions shown how much I care about Mansfield."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Local Realtor and councilwoman Zader vying for Mansfield mayor