LGBTQ+ advocate Cami Richardson announced a slight change in her plans to run for Summit County Council.
The Kamas resident originally said she would seek election to Seat C, which is currently occupied by Chair Malena Stevens — who is not seeking another term.
Instead, Richardson on Monday filed to run for Seat A, which has been held by fellow Democrat Roger Armstrong since he was elected in 2012. Armstrong planned to retire after his term expired at the end of this year, but he changed his mind.
Richardson came out as transgender in 2016. She thinks her personal experiences, unique perspective and innovative ideas would benefit the County Council. If elected, Richardson said she could bring a new voice to the County Council and help “revitalize the decision-making process.”
“I believe in democracy and I believe in change and it is my humble opinion that anyone running for a fourth four-year term should not run unopposed. I am a fresh face in politics and I’m in this race to win it,” she said in a statement. “Over time, entrenched leadership might lose touch with evolving community needs or overlook alternative solutions due to long standing perspectives.”
Richardson’s goals are to bring financial accountability, an additional eastern Summit County perspective and an understanding of diverse issues in Summit County. She wants to address traffic, community housing and the environment in particular.
She also wants to work alongside whoever is elected to Seat C. Four candidates — Democrats Thomas Cooke and Megan McKenna as well as Republicans Byron Ames and Ari Ioannides — filed to run before the declaration window closed on Monday.
But first, Richardson has to earn her party’s nomination.
The Summit County Democratic Party will host a convention night after its March caucus where delegates will vote for either Richardson or Armstrong. A primary election would be held in June if neither candidate earns 60% of the vote.
The person who becomes the party’s nominee will face Republican Tory Welch in the November election. Welch is an Army veteran and the county GOP’s representative for the State Central Committee.
There has not been a Republican on the County Council since Tal Adair in 2016.