Upper Arlington voters have a majority of seats to fill on city council this November.
Four seats on the Upper Arlington City Council are on the ballot this fall. Council President and Upper Arlington Mayor Ukeme Awakessien Jeter is up for reelection and is running to serve a second term. Two other current city members are term limited and cannot run for a third term. And Council Member Kathy Adams recently resigned from her position after moving out of the city, leaving an additional seat unfilled.
In addition to Awakessien, five other candidates are running for seats on the nonpartisan council: John Cousins, Nic Fortkamp, Laura Oldham, Michael B. Stafford and Benjamin Tracy.
Ohio’s general election is Nov. 4, with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters also may cast their ballots early at the Franklin County Board of Elections, 1700 Morse Road.
The information below was supplied by candidates responding to a questionnaire. The Dispatch only edited responses for length or clarity.
Meet the candidates for Upper Arlington City Council
Nic Fortkamp
Age: 40
Campaign website: fortkampforua.com
Key issues:
Background: “I have 20 years of experience in the real estate field and currently am a licensed real estate salesperson and real estate appraiser with The Robert Weiler Company.
“I served as executive director of LeadershipUA, led the UA Alumni Council and Leadership UA as Board president, and helped found EqualUA and created our city’s first Community Relations Committee. Today, I’m proud to serve as an ad hoc trustee of the UA Education Foundation, be a member and speaker with the Tri-Village Chamber of Commerce.”
Why are you the best candidate? “Over the past 20 years, I have gained well-rounded knowledge and experience in the real estate and development fields. These experiences will help overcome the challenges of growth in our community and developing our city’s new master plan. I’ll advocate for infrastructure improvements that support walkability, green space and connectivity, especially as we plan for mixed-use projects like the Henderson Road Corridor. Sites must be shovel-ready and designed to serve residents across generations.
“Whether I’m facilitating conversations or working with committees, I focus on creating space where people feel safe sharing their perspectives. I believe in finding common ground through shared values, not just shared opinions. That means asking the right questions, clarifying goals and identifying where interests overlap. I bring a collaborative mindset and solutions-oriented approach to tough conversations. When stakeholders feel respected and included, it leads to progress. My goal is always to move forward together — with transparency, empathy and a commitment to the greater good.”
Ukeme Awakessien Jeter
Age: 44
Campaign website: ukemeforua.com
Key issues:
Background: Ukeme Awakessien Jeter is the Council president and mayor of Upper Arlington. Elected to City Council in 2021, she is the first Black councilmember in the city’s history. A former engineer turned intellectual property attorney, Ukeme earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, law degree and M.B.A., bringing a unique mix of technical and legal expertise to public service She currently serves as assistant dean for Global Perspectives at Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Her blend of technical expertise, legal background and community leadership uniquely positions her to guide Upper Arlington’s growth while prioritizing inclusivity, strong infrastructure and responsible planning.
Why are you the best candidate? “I am the best candidate for Upper Arlington City Council because I have proven my leadership and deep commitment to community, so I am seeking reelection because the progress we’ve made is too important to leave unfinished. Over the past four years I have guided our community with steady, collaborative leadership, earning the respect of my peers to be selected to lead them as Council president and mayor. In our recent 2025 community survey, 92% of Upper Arlington residents say they trust our city government, a powerful endorsement of the kind of transparent, inclusive and accountable leadership I’ve worked hard to deliver.
“During my first term, I helped deliver the long-awaited Bob Crane Community Center, modernized our procurement and board appointment processes, expanded tenant protections, lowered electric rates and invested in sidewalks, parks and infrastructure that strengthen our city. I also championed inclusivity, from establishing Juneteenth as an official city holiday to making civic engagement more accessible for all residents. These are results that matter to residents’ daily lives, and they are the foundation for the future we are building together.
“With central Ohio’s rapid growth, Upper Arlington needs proven leaders who understand our challenges and have already earned the trust of the community. My priorities for the next term are clear, to help Upper Arlington R-I-S-E to the challenges of growth: Revitalize Henderson Road and key corridors. Invest in infrastructure that ensures safety, walkability and connectivity. Strategize through a new Master Plan to guide our next decade. Enhance parks and public spaces so every resident feels connected.
“I am ready to continue leading.”
Laura Oldham
Age: 43
Campaign website: oldhamforua.com
Key issues:
Background: “I’m a small business owner and have been working for myself in digital marketing for the last 15 years. Having daily conversations with clients around the country with varied goals and experiences has made me an excellent problem solver with a never-ending well of empathy for people with different backgrounds and experiences from my own.
“I also have several small businesses related to sustainability that help me explore my passions for eco-friendly living and taking small actions to create ripples of good. I graduated with a journalism degree from Ohio University in 2004 and still love finding excuses to write.”
Why are you the best candidate? “My strengths in communication, creativity and empathy combined with my passion for helping both people and the planet make me a fantastic candidate for this moment in time. Upper Arlington is approaching its next Master Plan process as well as several large development projects; my daily experiences listening to clients share concerns while we talk through the best possible solutions for their organizations have prepared me to hear from all residents and land on solutions that benefit all stakeholders.
“As the population in central Ohio grows, we have the opportunity today to prioritize our pedestrian, cyclist and transit infrastructure to address our air pollution and traffic congestion issues. We can create welcoming spaces for new and established residents to gather so that people feel more connected to each other and the community as a whole. And we can put climate resilience at the forefront of all planning solutions to set our community up for success for decades to come.”
Michael Stafford
Age: 45
Campaign website: michaelstaffordforua.com
Key issues:
Background: “I am the founder and principal of One Brick Capital, a central Ohio wealth management firm. I am a lifelong resident of central Ohio, and an active alum of Ohio State University, where I played on two Big Ten Championship football teams including the ’02 National Championship. I am very active in youth sports in both league administrations and coaching roles, emphasizing teamwork and discipline. I have spent much of the last two decades serving on the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Development Board raising funds for pediatric research. Abby and I live in UA with our four active children.”
Why are you the best candidate? “My background in finance and service on both executive and working boards aligns closely with the responsibilities of City Council. For over 20 years, I’ve worked directly with clients to develop thoughtful, individualized financial strategies — always balancing long-term goals with the realities of life’s unpredictability. Success in this work requires active listening, adaptability and leveraging the right resources to overcome challenges and achieve meaningful outcomes. Similarly, my board experience has focused on mission-driven planning and execution: understanding an organization’s purpose, identifying key priorities and taking action to move initiatives forward. In both settings, success comes down to collaboration, strategic thinking and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get the job done.”
Benjamin Tracy
Age: 40
Campaign website: tracy4ua.com
Key issues:
Background: “Ben Tracy serves as an appellate prosecutor for the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office. Previously, he was a senior judicial attorney at the Ohio Supreme Court, where he worked on high-profile issues including redistricting, federal preemption and initial interpretations of constitutional amendments such as Reagan Tokes Law, Sierah’s Law and Marsy’s Law. Tracy earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and B.A. from Brown University. Currently a candidate for Upper Arlington City Council, Tracy is also president of the Franklin County Democratic Lawyers Club, is active in governance at the Athletic Club of Columbus, and serves on the board of Opera Columbus.”
Why are you the best candidate? “Ben Tracy brings a career in government, law and civic leadership to Upper Arlington City Council. As a senior judicial attorney at the Ohio Supreme Court, he navigated Ohio’s most complex constitutional and legal challenges. His current role as an appellate prosecutor demonstrates his commitment to protecting citizens through effective government action, and his varied legal background — from civil rights attorney to judiciary roles — provides the breadth of expertise needed to understand and tackle any issues UA might face.
“Tracy has devoted his career to public service as a result of losing his older brother to AIDS while the government debated the morality of homosexuality instead of addressing the public health crisis. This drives his commitment to returning government focus to working on real challenges rather than debating philosophical questions. His grassroots, real-people-first approach to governance is evident in the fact that he has personally canvassed more than 5,000 households in Upper Arlington, ensuring every resident’s voice is heard.
“His platform balances progress with preservation: encouraging respectful development through strategic zoning, protecting UA’s natural character and supporting working families.
“Tracy offers stable leadership and sensible government — exactly what UA needs in today’s divisive political climate.”
John Cousins
Age: 42
Campaign website: www.johncousinsforua.com
Key issues:
Background: I’m an attorney with 17 years of experience protecting our community and representing Ohio families. I began my career in public service, serving as a Franklin County prosecutor, then working for Judge Lisa Sadler at the Tenth District Court of Appeals and Justice Judi French at the Ohio Supreme Court. For the past 11 years, I’ve been in private practice with Grossman Law Offices, where I’m an OSBA Certified Specialist in Family Law. I’m running a nonpartisan campaign to give back to the community where I became a husband, a father of three, a coach, and a neighbor.
Why are you the best candidate? “I’ve devoted my career to protecting communities and representing families. I promise humility, active listening, and, as a nonpartisan candidate, I will choose people over politics every day of the week.”
“Complacency invites an urge to tinker with what works. It’s human nature. As someone who came to central Ohio over 20 years ago from other parts of the country, I won’t take this community for granted. I am running to keep Upper Arlington a special place as we enter a period of regional growth. I’ll fight for strong infrastructure, excellent services, and redevelopment that fits our landlocked community. I’ll steward the master plan with discipline, not impulse. And I’ll always put Upper Arlington first.”
“I miss public service, and I am running to give back to the community that has given me so much.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Meet the candidates running for seats on Upper Arlington City Council
Reporting by Sheridan Hendrix, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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