VERMILION — Democrat Mindy Kayl, a Vermilion resident and city pool manager, is seeking election to the Erie County Commission seat currently held by Republican Steve Shoffner.
Kayl is the only Democratic candidate filed for the seat, while Erie County Board of Elections records show Shoffner is the only Republican candidate.
Background and experience
Kayl said her background spans environmental science and small business ownership, along with years of public service. She previously operated a wetlands consulting business, working with private landowners and government agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service and state transportation departments.
Earlier in her career, she spent 10 years working on scientific research ships with federal agencies, including deployments in Antarctica and across the Pacific.
Her public service experience includes eight years on the Eastsound Plan Review Commission, as well as serving as an elected freeholder in San Juan County, Washington, in 2007. She was also appointed to the San Juan Preservation Trust Board and ran for county commissioner there in 2012, losing by 212 votes.
Kayl moved to the Erie County side of Vermilion nearly two years ago after spending about 30 years in Washington state. She said family ties brought her back to the area.
“My mother and all her family are from here,” Kayl said. “When my husband and I decided to leave Washington State, we chose to live here over anywhere in the country.”
She currently serves as the Vermilion city pool manager and is an organizing member of Vermilion in Bloom.
Why she’s running
Kayl said her decision to run is driven by concerns over county budget decisions and their impact on public services.
“I decided to run for Erie County Commissioner because the county’s current budget decisions are jeopardizing essential community services,” she said, pointing to departments such as Metro Parks, Jobs and Family Services and public libraries.
Key issues and priorities
Among the issues she identified as priorities are housing affordability, economic development, environmental protection, support for agriculture and services for an aging population. She also emphasized the importance of maintaining and expanding access to Lake Erie and the county’s waterfront.
If elected, Kayl said she hopes to focus on representing residents’ interests while supporting existing county programs.
“I want to be a representative elected official, not driving my own agenda but representing all the interests and needs of the people in Erie County,” she said.
The Erie County commissioner race will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.