After Contentious Primary, Findlay Candidates Once again on Hot Seat For November Election.

BY PATTY KLEIN

FINDLAY - Republican candidates for City Council were revealed to have been recruited and “nurtured” by elite residents of Findlay who want to see the city expanded and moved toward a more urban feel, a plan called the “Findlay Formula.” Mayor Christina Muryn has expressed that her vision is to make Findlay a destination city. This includes plans for a park with a price tag of over $40 million. Pushback from some in the community has brought attention to environmental toxins in the soil of the proposed park. Many believe the candidates recruited by the city will help push through the expansive and expensive park without regard for the toxic soil verified by the Ohio EPA.

Though Muryn and her supporters believed they had secured a supportive 2026 City Council through questionable campaign tactics, several candidates have come forward to challenge the Republican slate. Three Republican candidates were selected in the May 2025 primary election: Heather Kenzinger, Brad Wagner, and L. Reed Needles. Democrat Jenny Fall will challenge these candidates for one of the at-large seats. While Findlay has a majority of Republican voters, it is important for residents to take a close look at all of the November candidates.

The Findlay Area Chamber of Commerce recently held a forum with WFIN radio personality Chris Oakes moderating questions for the at-large candidates (link). All candidates were asked the same questions by Oakes. The Republican candidates often began their answers by agreeing with one another.

In a post on Facebook, Councilwoman Holly Frische summarized the Chamber forum with comments on each candidate’s answers, noting that all three Republican candidates expressed support for Muryn’s plans. Democrat Jenny Fall, by contrast, expressed a desire to work with all residents and council members. She also stated that she would like to see some private funding for city projects.

As commentary, Frische wrote the following:

“So overall—nice people, but the job of Findlay government is public safety, infrastructure, water, and sewer. In my view, we want to maintain a 1% income tax as long as possible, and we need to operate within our finances—deficit spending is not smart because it will eventually bite you. Everyone wants to see the downtown park area improved in a smart, sustainable way, and spending $40M–$50M is not smart, no matter who pays for it, because WE still have to maintain it, PLUS the site is NOT 100% CLEAN. Planning and Zoning has a role, but it should NEVER be to create ordinances that allow one neighbor to bully another on a civil matter (there are no complaints about chickens that anyone could reference)."

Frische continued to address issues of city revenue.

"Findlay is full of very giving individuals and businesses, but city revenue must stay in the silo of public safety, infrastructure, and water/sewer, because ALL of these areas benefit EVERY CITIZEN in our community," Frische said. "The Findlay Formula has not been successful overall for our community because when we give tax abatements it negatively impacts schools; when the port authority is utilized for construction it reduces sales tax revenue on supplies; and IF the Mayor implements an Income Tax Credit Program for new and existing businesses, it LESSENS our ability to operate the city at the highest and best standards possible. These Findlay Formula projects are NOT bringing high-paying jobs, and they are having a negative impact on schools, public safety, and housing."

Findlay City Council is currently planning legislation to change laws on private property. Legislation concerning ownership of farm animals, mostly chickens, has been brought before council. Though the city has been unable to show a trend of chicken complaints, some current council members feel the legislation needs to be in place just in case complaints arise. The candidates who participated in the forum seemed to be against new ordinances but were also sympathetic to residents who may not want to live near animals.

In addition to animals, council is considering legislation to force homeowners to complete building projects within regulated time frames. There is some concern that the new animal and building legislation will sow animosity between neighbors, since enforcement would only occur if a complaint were filed.

Residents of Findlay have only had the chance to hear from the at-large candidates and not from those challenging incumbents in some of Findlay’s seven wards. In the Third Ward, Democrat Shaun Mason is challenging Republican Carol Smith. In the Fourth Ward, Republican Dan DeArment is being challenged by write-in candidate Sarah Pugh. In the Fifth Ward, Independent candidate Kevin Cullen is challenging Brian Bauman.

A Meet and Greet will be held on October 14 at 6:00 p.m. for residents to hear from all of the ward challengers. There will be a formal question-and-answer session as well as time for candidates to mingle with residents. The Meet and Greet will be held at Brethren Presbyterian Church, 1648 Lima Avenue in Findlay.