Write-in campaign announced
Butler Mayor Tom Donaldson formally announced Friday that he will run as a write-in mayoral candidate in the city's general election in November.
“Because of the outpouring of support I've gotten since the primary, I believe I can win,” Donaldson said.
Donaldson will face opposition from Republican candidate Ben Smith and Democratic candidate Jamie Lee Goehring.
Smith won 372 votes to Donaldson's 223 and city councilman Michael Walter's 98 in the primary. Goehring ran unopposed in the primary and won 430 votes.
Donaldson said he has more municipal government experience than his opposition.
“I have been on the job,” he said. “I have a proven record of getting things done.”
He noted eliminating the city's parking authority, working with the American Legion to hang banners of veterans along Main Street, and the development of the Centre City parking garage and Marriott Springhill Suites as accomplishments during his first term.
“I don't want to stop now,” Donaldson said. “We've got a lot of work to do.”
He also commented on goals he has should he win a second term. He wants to continue development of downtown Butler and improve the city's neighborhoods.
Donaldson said one way to strengthen neighborhoods is to create a historic protection for neighborhoods to prevent single-family dwellings from becoming apartments.
He also said he would again look into monetizing the city's parking assets. He expressed confidence in his chances to win because he already is mayor.
“If I was not the incumbent and well-known, I would never do this,” Donaldson said.
He also commented on actions that he said have been controversial during his first term, such as his demotion of former Butler City Fire Chief Nick Ban in April 2016. The move was later suspended following protests from city council, and Ban retired as chief.
“Every single decision I have made, whether people have been happy with it or not, I have run by the city solicitor,” he said.
Donaldson also said it is important for him to be able to continue with goals he's had since his first term.
“You don't change horses in the middle of a race,” he said. “It doesn't work.”
