Tiffin educator, small business owner announces candidacy for mayor

Tiffin, Ohio — Lee W. Wilkinson, an educator and downtown Tiffin small business partner, has announced his candidacy for mayor of the City of Tiffin.

Wilkinson says he will be a full-time mayor if elected. “I believe that mayor is a full-time job, and I plan to dedicate myself to that job,” he said in a press release.

Wilkinson has over 30 years of experience in education and currently teaches in the Mathematics Department at Heidelberg University, according to the release. Along with his wife Susan, he also owns Simply Susan’s, a downtown boutique.

He has expressed his admiration for the outgoing mayor, Dawn Iannantuono, and her efforts to keep the city moving in the right direction.

“Mayor Dawn Iannantuono has done an excellent job of keeping the city moving in the right direction since she took office following the great foundation left by Aaron Montz. I will work to carry forward that momentum into the future,” Wilkinson said in the release.

Wilkinson says he looks forward to working with the city administration and community leaders, emphasizing the importance of community wisdom and open communication in finding solutions.

“I believe that the wisdom of the community is greater that the wisdom of an individual,” he said in the release. “Whatever the problem, I believe we can find a solution through communication.”

Mayor Iannantuono has said that she does not plan to run for reelection. The primary election for the mayoral race, along with primaries for other city offices, will be held on May 2, 2023. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November.