Ray, Moore Jr. seek Democratic nod for Massillon Ward 2 seat in May primary

MASSILLON – A political newcomer and a seasoned campaigner are making their bid for the Massillon City Council Ward 2 seat as Democrat candidates.

Jack L. Moore, who has ran the past two election cycles for the post, and Eric J. Ray, a first-time candidate for public office, are running in the May 2 primary election to earn their party's nod for the general election.

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Both are vying to unseat incumbent Councilman Aaron Violand, a Republican, who's running unopposed in next week's primary.

Who is Eric Ray?

Ray, 45, said he moved to Massillon at age 15 from Chicago in an effort to help better his life.

"I grew up rough in Chicago. Massillon is a big portion of me surviving," said Ray, a 1996 graduate of Washington High School, adding that running for public office provides him an avenue to "give back to the community."

He works as a general construction contractor and is the owner and operator of Ray's Reconditioning, which is based in Massillon.

If elected, Ray said he would work to increase infrastructure and small business throughout Massillon.

A job training partnership with Begin Anew assisted Ray as a teenager to find quality employment in the city. He wants city government to put more focus on assisting youths find meaningful work.

"I'd like to see us implement a (citywide) teen-work program," said Ray, who makes a point to hire local vocational school students.

A current city issue that he said needs to be addressed sooner rather than later is getting faulty downtown buildings up to par.

"We need to do a better job at remodeling downtown buildings," he said. "That will bring more people to the city to live. ... We need to embrace change and move forward."

Who is Jack L. Moore?

If elected, Moore said he'll work to improve industrial development in Massillon and help implement a clear program to get downtown buildings up to par.

The city should also do more to keep young people in the community, said Moore, who attended Perry High School and later earaned a GED in 1993.

"My goal is to find a way to keep people in Massillon and have them afford a good living," said Moore, who works as a manager at Erie Street Pub. "I want to keep our younger kids here and push the trades (blue-collar jobs) more."

Moore, 48, is commander of the Sons of the American Legion in Massillon. He's making his third run for the city's Ward 2 council seat.

In 2021, Moore ran as a Democrat and was defeated by then-incumbent Republican Jim Thieret. He ran as an independent in 2019 and lost in a three-candidate race to Thieret.

Working with Republican council members, independents and other city officials is key in getting common-sense legislation passed, Moore said.

"We need more people on City Council who will work across party lines," he said. "I'm friendly with both Republicans and Democrats. "Being on City Council will make me more available to help the community out and improve it."

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Eric Ray, Jack Moore competing in Massillon Ward 2 Democratic primary