Columbus City Council sorting through 31 applicants for Shayla Favor’s vacancy

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — More than two dozen people have applied to fill the Columbus City Council seat of current member Shayla Favor, which will become vacant as she becomes Franklin County’s next prosecutor.

“As Councilmember Favor moves on, we are in search of the person who will fill her seat for the remainder of her term,” Nya Hairston, deputy communications director for Columbus City Council, said.

Favor was elected prosecutor in November and her resignation from Council will take effect on Dec. 31, 2024. Her replacement will serve the remainder of her term, which ends in December 2025. According to Hairston, 31 people applied for the position. The application window closed Monday at noon.

“We think it’s amazing that so many people are willing to step up and fill in such an important position,” Hairston said.

Because Favor is technically resigning from her spot on Council, her seat is being filled by application and appointment instead of an election per the city charter, according to Hairston.

Councilmembers will go through the applicants, hold interviews and announce the finalists on Friday. A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.

“Where the finalists will be able to make their case and also those who are in support of them or not are able to sign up to speak at that hearing,” Hairston said.

Councilmembers now have corresponding districts, so applicants were required to live in Favor’s district, which was District 7.

“As Council President says, he is looking for a caretaker who can step in and fill that position. We want to serve the residents of District 7 (and) the city as whole to the best of their ability,” Hairston said.

Councilmembers will vote on who will take Favor’s seat in early 2025.

The list of applicants, in order of when they applied, is here: