Candidate Spotlight: Brian Ashton (At-Large — Cuyahoga Falls City Council)
The CF Dems Club will be spotlighting our 2021 candidates through November. Be sure to keep stopping by to learn more.
Meet Brian, candidate for At-Large City Council in Cuyahoga Falls. Here’s a little about him:
I am a 40 year old attorney who has lived in Cuyahoga Falls my entire life. I graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 2000. I met my wife Jen while we were both students at Hiram College and we have been married for 14 years. We have two wonderful boys Sam (9) and Chris (6). Jen is employed for Child Guidance and Family Solutions as a School Based Therapist and I have been a partner at my firm for the past 8 years.
To learn more about Brian, please see our Q&A below.
What has motivated you to enter public service?
I want to give back to my community in whatever capacity that I can. I feel very blessed to have grown up in Cuyahoga Falls and to now be raising my family within the city. This city has afforded me so many opportunities. I now see it as my duty to work for others and help do my part to make the city better. I believe that I have a positive perspective and offer a unique set of skills that I want to use to better the citizen’s of Cuyahoga Falls.
What issues are most important to you and our community?
I think that Mayor Walters and his staff have done an amazing job of transforming our community. For too long, Cuyahoga Falls was behind on supporting new and innovative forms of business. People now want local restaurants and to live in walking distance to small shops and craft breweries. Under Mayor Walters the city has begun to change in so many positive ways. Projects like the rebranding of the downtown area or Portage Crossings have been wonderful, but I want to help additional local small businesses and promote all of the positive things that they are doing. We need to make sure that our city helps promote new ideas to adapt to the growing needs of the community. Making Cuyahoga Falls a desired place to live, visit, and work.
Tell us why Cuyahoga Falls is home to you.
It is where I have grown up. I know that sounds like a cliché’ answer, but throughout this city I have nothing but happy memories. It is where I spent my youth playing with friends or on local sports teams. In High School it was where I learned how to drive and participated in the Marching Band. This was the town I knew I wanted to move back to following law school. My wife and I bought our first home in Cuyahoga Falls and began raising our children in the same neighborhood in which I grew up in. It means a lot to me that not only is Cuyahoga Falls a great community to grow up in, but it has endless potential as well.
Where’s your favorite place to eat in Cuyahoga Falls?
Although technically not Cuyahoga Falls, I did put myself through college working at Swenson’s so I will always love that food. But some other the other restaurants that my family and I like are Schwarma Brothers, Mandarin House, and the Blue Door.
Where would you like to see Cuyahoga Falls in 10 years?
I would like to see business continue to grow and develop. I’d like to see more locally owned business promoting environmentally friendly options and paying their employees a living wage. I would like to see continued job development for our citizens. And I would love to see continued focus on keeping our communities safe so that our children can enjoy this city; and as a parent, we can feel comfortable for their surroundings.
Why are you proud to be a Democrat?
Because I believe that as a Democrat we prove that our diversity in society makes us stronger. We can embrace all people and understand that united, we can overcome so many issues that are before us. The past year has sadly taught us that there are not just simple problems with simple answers, but instead the Democrats have proven that with wisdom, compassion, and science we can overcome any obstacle that is in our way. These are values that I hold dear and I wish that I pass them along to my children.
When Joe Biden won, my children were so excited (partly because we had promised them ice-cream in celebration), but it was so important to me that my children finally had a president in their lives that they could look up to. The Democratic Party stands strong on its principle and pushes the promotion supporting one another to improve the daily life of our fellow citizens.
What do you do to unwind at the end of the day?
I am a T.V. junkie and love to watch it with my wife after putting the kids to bed. Some of my favorites are the West Wing, The Wire, and Its’ Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In addition I am a big sports fan and a die hard Cleveland Browns fan. And truth be told I enjoy trying the various kids of craft beer our areas has to offer.
Favorite song & why?
I do not have a particular favorite song, but as a whole, I am a fan of 90’s alternative.
