2011 Akron mayoral election

2011 Akron mayoral election

←  2009 (recall) November 8, 2011 2015  →

Nominee Don Plusquellic Jennifer Hensal Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 32,493 13,605 Percentage 70.49% 29.51%

Mayor before election Don Plusquellic Democratic Elected Mayor Don Plusquellic Democratic

The 2011 Akron mayoral election was held on November 8, 2011. Incumbent Democratic Mayor Don Plusquellic ran for re-election to a seventh term, after defeating a recall attempt in 2009. He was challenged in the Democratic primary by City Councilman Michael Williams, and won by a wide margin. ^[1] In the general election, he faced Republican Jennifer Hensal, an attorney. Plusquellic defeated Hensal in a landslide, winning re-election with 70 percent of the vote. ^[2]

Plusquellic would not serve out his full term, however. He announced on May 8, 2015, that he would not seek an eighth term in 2015 and that he would leave office early on May 31, 2015, citing among other reasons unfavorable press coverage from the Akron Beacon Journal . ^[3]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Don Plusquellic, incumbent Mayor ^[4]
• Mike Williams, City Councilman ^[5]
• Janice Davis, bank employee, student ^[6]

Primary results

Democratic primary results ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Don Plusquellic (inc.)	12,625	54.70%
	Democratic	Michael Williams	9,984	43.26%
	Democratic	Janice Davis	471	2.04%
Total votes			23,080	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jennifer Hensal, attorney ^[8]
• Katie Marie Wilkins ^[9]

Primary results

Republican primary results ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jennifer Hensal	1,057	65.37%
	Republican	Katie Marie Wilkins	560	34.63%
Total votes			1,617	100.00%

General election

Results

2011 Akron mayoral election ^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Don Plusquellic (inc.)	32,493	70.49%
	Republican	Jennifer Hensal	13,605	29.51%
Total votes			46,098	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

1. Spector, Harlan (September 14, 2011). "Akron Mayor Plusquellic handily wins primary race". The Plain Dealer . Cleveland, Ohio. p. B1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
2. Warsmith, Stephanie (November 9, 2011). "A 7th term for winner Plusquellic". Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio. p. A1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
3. Harper, John (May 11, 2015). "Akron mayor Plusquellic leaves power vacuum". The Plain Dealer . Cleveland, Ohio. p. A9. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
4. Warsmith, Stephanie (February 12, 2011). "Akron mayor to run". Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio. p. A1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
5. Warsmith, Stephanie (March 1, 2011). "Williams launches his run for mayor of Akron". Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio. p. A1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
6. Warsmith, Stephanie (July 2, 2011). "Akron mayoral hopeful claims election threats". Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio. p. A1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
7. "Summit County, Ohio - Final Official Amended Results - 09/13/11 Primary Election". Summit County Board of Elections. October 4, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
8. Warsmith, Stephanie (April 15, 2011). "Republican enters Akron mayoral race". Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio. p. A1. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
9. Warsmith, Stephanie (September 5, 2011). "Davis, Republicans also running". Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio. p. A1, A7. Retrieved July 25, 2025. No one, including her opponent, has seen Wilkins at any political events or knows anything about her.
10. "Summit County, Ohio - Final Official Results - 11/08/2011 General Election". Summit County Board of Elections. November 30, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2025.