Friends of Rita Darrow
Summit County Council President, District 1 Representative
Dear Constituents of District 1,
I am writing to you today to reaffirm my commitment as your representative on the Summit County Council and humbly ask for your continued support in the upcoming election. As the current President of Summit County Council in 2024 and your District 1 representative since 2021, I have dedicated my tenure to advocating for the well-being of our community, ensuring that your voices are heard, and delivering on the issues that matter most.
Throughout my time on the council, I have worked tirelessly to address critical concerns such as infrastructure improvement, economic growth, public safety, and access to essential services. My time as Vice President in 2023, followed by my election as President in 2024, has provided me the honor of leading this great council, and in that capacity, I have ensured that we focus on what truly benefits the people of Summit County. I owe a lot of our Council's success to the support of our residents and the Executive Team Led by Ilene Shapiro.
I am, first and foremost, a servant of the people. This guiding principle has driven every decision I have made, and I take pride in being a hands-on representative. My role extends beyond legislative duties; I am here to listen to your concerns, advocate for your needs, and make sure that the policies we implement positively impact your daily lives.
I’ve had the privilege of serving on multiple committees, including Health & Human Services, Public Safety, Long-Term Planning, and Personnel & Intergovernmental. These roles have allowed me to make informed decisions that reflect the interests of the community. My leadership on the Audit Committee and Criminal Justice Advisory Board has strengthened my focus on transparency and accountability, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and that our justice system works for all.
In addition to my legislative work, I’ve been involved in key economic initiatives. As a member of the Summit County Land Bank and the Akron Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau Board, I’ve worked to revitalize neglected areas, promote affordable housing, and boost local tourism. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that Summit County remains a vibrant, safe, and prosperous place to live, work, and raise families.
I have also led initiatives to secure over $200 million in state and federal funding for critical infrastructure projects, ensuring that our roads, bridges, and public transit systems remain reliable and safe. My experience negotiating with unions and businesses has allowed me to strike a balance between fair wages for workers and long-term economic sustainability for our county.
Looking back on my time as President of Macedonia City Council (2015) and my term on the Macedonia City Council from 2012 to 2015, I’ve always believed in building bridges—whether that’s literal infrastructure or working across the aisle to achieve bipartisan solutions. During those years, I helped eliminate deficit spending, attract new jobs, and ensure that essential services like police and fire had the resources they needed to keep our community safe.
It is this same spirit of service and dedication that I bring to Summit County Council, and it is why I am asking for your trust to continue representing District 1. I believe in our community’s potential, and I am committed to working tirelessly to address our challenges and create new opportunities for every resident.
Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving you. Together, we have made great progress, and together we can continue to move Summit County forward.
Sincerely,
Rita Darrow
District 1 Representative
President, Summit County Council
It's time for a change.
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I have already begun my work. I am already out there – talking to people, raising questions, and having conversations, but there is still much to do. I need YOUR support.
Every little bit helps – whether it be through a donation or through volunteering your time…NO effort is too small.
I hope you will support me. Start a conversation with your friends and family members. Raise pertinent questions. Ask people to join in making sure the health and safety of ALL Ohioans is addressed in November and beyond.
We can get there with a little bit of effort.
One voice can make a difference.
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Rita Darrow
Summit County Council District 1 , Council President 2024
Meet Rita
Proven Leadership Delivering Results for Our Community
I'm Rita Darrow, your designated Council Woman for Summit County Council District 1, serving Summit County, Ohio as the newly elected Council President.
I am focused on the issues that are important to people and businesses.
You can always count on me to represent YOUR interests
and deliver results that address YOUR concerns.
Current Newly, Elected 2024 President of Summit County Council, District 1 Serving Your Community!
I served on the Macedonia City Council from 2012-2015, acting as Council President in 2015. During my tenure, I learned to navigate government, build strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect, and get things done.
I am always willing to listen to the concerns and suggestions of the community and have proven my problem-solving ability through effective legislation. During my term as Councilwoman and now newly elected Council President, we addressed over 300 legislative items, with more than 90% being passed unanimously.
I am also the third Vice President of the Federated Women of Summit County, an organization dedicated to uniting Summit County Democratic women and empowering their participation at every level of the Democratic Party.​​
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I was raised with the idea that serving my community was not only an obligation but a privilege. My family has been involved in public service for many years. Both of my parents were dedicated union members. My mom was one of the hardest working people I know, and I learned my work ethic from her.
I have lived in Summit county for over two decades, and have always been an active participant in my home city of Macedonia and the surrounding county. I’ve raised my children here—both graduated with high honors from Nordonia Hills High School before moving on to attend Bowling Green State University. My daughter graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, while my son graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management.
We are also very active members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Macedonia. On many evenings, you can find me volunteering at events sponsored by our Parish.
Accomplishments
Proven Leadership Delivering Results for Our Community
SUMMIT COUNTY COUNCIL – DISTRICT 1
*NEWLY ELECTED SUMMIT COUNTY COUNCIL PRESIDENT 2024.
Summit County Council Vice President 2023-2024
The county council is passing 99-100% of all legislation with bipartisan support.
MACEDONIA CITY COUNCIL
As President of Macedonia City Council, I was instrumental in launching many improvements to our City Government as well as the community as a whole.
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The city was in debt and was wasting funds on budget items that didn't directly benefit our residents. During my time on the council, we altered the course of Macedonia’s fiscal policy and revamped spending trends to achieve more positive results.
With my leadership, Macedonia realized some notable accomplishments:
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The city’s previous debts were reconciled and Macedonia went from deficit spending to a 10% annual surplus, all while LOWERING tax rates by ¼%.
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More than 200 Million in State and Federal funding was obtained to introduce a variety of improvements, including the extension of major interstate roads and the expansion of playground equipment in our parks.
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A new focus on economic development resulted in hundreds of new jobs, the retention of several large manufacturers considering relocation and increased housing, retail development and assisted living facilities.
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Police and Fire Rescue staffing levels were restored to pre-2008 levels and a program was implemented to upgrade police and fire vehicles and equipment.​
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City roads were evaluated and a budget was initiated to repair a decade of decay.
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City employees received a pay increase after a 3-year freeze.
Issues
Count on me to tirelessly work for our Residents and Community!
Reproductive Rights:
I believe EVERY woman has the right to make decisions about her own body. The government has no business making decisions that affect a woman’s health. I will fight to reverse those excessively harsh “trigger” laws put in place for Ohio as soon as the Federal Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
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Gun Safety and Regulation:
I am a strong advocate for gun safety and violence prevention. As a member of a family of gun owners, I do not believe in taking guns away from law-abiding citizens who can pass common-sense gun safety and background checks.
I believe schools should be provided with a professionally-trained safety force for the safety of our children.​
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Education
I trust educational administrators and educators to do what is necessary to provide our youth a well-rounded education without excessive government oversight. I believe every child should have access to high-quality education from Kindergarten through High school and beyond, if they choose.
I will vote against efforts to divert public school funding to private schools.
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Workers’ rights
Coming from a family of union members, I believe in a workers’ rights to unionize, however, union members should be expected to pay dues. Living wages can help reduce poverty AND the tax burden on society. Additionally, low-wage workers need social programs to be able to afford housing, food, healthcare, etc.
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Voting rights
Voting is a fundamental right. I will challenge ANY attempts to disenfranchise select groups from voting.
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Same-sex marriage
A family is a family, even if it doesn’t look like your family.
The government has NO right to define what a family should look like.
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Board of Elections Independence
I will battle all attempts to subvert the will of the people.
Veterans
We as a society have an obligation to those who have served to protect our democracy. I believe every veteran deserves a program for a successful re-entry back home after fighting for our country. I would like to be a part of implementing a program that would provide job opportunities, free healthcare, and support for those battling with PTSD and substance abuse.
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Climate Change
I agree with the experts and the science. Ohio should put a higher priority on reducing its dependence on oil and coal.
There should also be clean air legislation put in place.
Health Care
The United States is the only western country without universal health care.
I want to explore how other countries provide healthcare for all and find a solution that would work for our citizens. The government should control outrageous pharmaceutical pricing.
Endorsements
I am honored to receive the following endorsements.
Thank you for your trust.
Stay Connected
My campaign is grass roots, getting to know people one at a time and in small groups — NO special interests. Getting active in a grassroots campaign is very rewarding!
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Reach out! Get to know me!
By supporting each other, we can all make a difference in our community.
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There are many ways to help out, from going door-to-door to hosting a meet & greet with friends and neighbors. I always need help at the polls on election day and at fundraisers—both are fun! I especially need help spreading the word online. If you would like to meet me or have a willingness to help out, just fill out the form below. I'm happy to drop by, meet you, and answer any questions you might have face-to-face. Also, if you would like to donate to my campaign, you can do so right here, just click on the donate button.
VOLUNTEER
We need YOU! There are many ways to help, and plenty of things to do. Give us an idea of your interests and the amount of time you can volunteer and we'll work with your schedule!
HOST A HOUSE PARTY
Direct contact is the best way for people to get to know me. By hosting a meet & greet gathering at your home, I can hear your concerns and you can hear about my ideas for our future.
DONATE
I need financial help to succeed. I'm running against a well-funded opponent with resources that far exceed mine. I am a grass With YOUR support I can bring energy and fresh ideas to Ohio legislation.