Dorothy Hassan is making history in Hilliard, Ohio. She has entered the political arena as the first Black Muslim woman to seek a spot on the Hilliard City Council. Hassan is among seven Democrats competing for four council seats in the upcoming May 6 primary race.
Historic Representation in a Changing Hilliard
“It just speaks to the fact that our Hilliard doesn’t look the same way that it did 20 years ago,” Hassan said about her groundbreaking candidacy. Her run reflects the shifting demographics in this Columbus suburb that was once solidly conservative.
Hassan joins two other Muslim candidates in this year’s Democratic primary. The increased diversity among candidates mirrors changes happening throughout the city. This representation marks a significant shift in local politics for a community in transition.
Stance on Development in a Growing Suburb
Hassan approaches Hilliard’s rapid growth with a practical outlook. “The only constant in life is change,” she remarked when discussing development issues. “So, development is inevitable.”
Development has become a major topic in Hilliard politics. The city ranks among the fastest-growing suburbs of Columbus. In 2023, Hilliard released an updated community plan that proposed denser development through rezoning parts of the city, including Old Hilliard and the Cemetery Road corridor.
Part of a New Democratic Slate
Hassan has received a notable endorsement in her campaign. She runs as part of a slate backed by the Hilliard Democrats PAC, a political action group started this April with an address in Dublin.
This group has endorsed Hassan along with fellow candidates Nadia Rasul and Samer Bazerbashi. Their endorsement comes from a different organization than the Hilliard Democrats, who have backed incumbent council members Tina Cottone, Andy Teater, and candidates Tony Moog and Kathy Parker-Jones.
Building Community Connections
Like many candidates in the race, Hassan emphasizes the importance of connecting Hilliard’s neighborhoods. Candidates across endorsement lines share this vision for a more walkable city.
Fellow candidate Kathy Parker-Jones expressed similar sentiments: “I want to be able to feel like I can walk out of my neighborhood and get to downtown Hilliard.” This focus on connectivity reflects broader community desires for infrastructure that brings residents together.
Balancing Growth with Community Identity
The community plan that would guide Hilliard’s development has proven controversial. It sparked a countermovement called “Save Hilliard,” which opposed suggested changes fearing disruption to Hilliard’s character.
Most Democratic candidates support the development plan while acknowledging resident concerns. They stress the importance of community input in neighborhood projects. Many believe that responsible development requires balancing growth with preserving what residents love about Hilliard.
Meeting the Challenges of a Growing Suburb
The candidates also recognize tax concerns among residents. Development decisions will affect property taxes and the city’s revenue streams. Many candidates suggest focusing on commercial development to ease tax burdens on homeowners.
“Class A office space, medical offices, those types of things can help bring in more tax revenue for the city, allows the city to grow responsibly,” said Parker-Jones. This approach aims to address fiscal challenges while supporting continued growth.
A Focus Beyond Identity Politics
While Hassan proudly represents her community as the first Black Muslim woman candidate, she joins other diverse candidates who want voters to see beyond their religious identity. Fellow Muslim candidate Nadia Rasul expressed this sentiment clearly.
“I’m a pharmacist, I’m mom, and I’m representative of Hilliard, and then I happen to be Muslim,” Rasul said. This highlights how these groundbreaking candidates want to be known for their qualifications and commitment to serving Hilliard residents.
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