As Columbus continues to grow, so do the questions about who the city truly works for and how well its leaders are listening.

I sat down with Jesse Vogel, a candidate for Columbus City Council District 7, to talk about what is working, what is not, and why he believes the city needs to rethink how it represents its residents.

Vogel’s path to politics began in eviction court. During the pandemic, while studying law at Ohio State, he helped organize a grassroots effort to support tenants facing eviction when the city reopened its courts. That experience, he says, opened his eyes to how fragile housing stability can be and how much leadership matters when people are struggling.

Now an immigration attorney, Vogel argues that Columbus has both the means and the responsibility to do more for working people. From protecting affordable housing to improving access to transportation and early education, he is calling for more creativity and accountability in how the city uses its resources.

“We have the benefit of a strong credit rating and real resources,” Vogel says. “But we need to target those investments toward the people most in need, the ones the market is not serving right now.”

A key part of the conversation centers on Columbus’s new district system, where candidates must live in the district they represent but are still elected citywide. Vogel says that structure undermines neighborhood representation and incentivizes large fundraising operations instead of direct engagement.

“People across the city can vote on who represents District 7,” he notes. “That means the incentive is not to listen to your neighbors. It is to raise the most money and run a citywide campaign.”

Throughout the interview, Vogel discusses his policy priorities, responds to questions about campaign fundraising and endorsements, and explains how his lived experiences as a gay, Jewish attorney working with marginalized communities shape his approach to public service.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at the future of city leadership, housing policy, and community representation in Columbus.

And stay tuned. Tomorrow’s episode features Tiara Ross, Vogel’s opponent in the District 7 race, offering the other side of the conversation.

Shownotes

Full transcript on page 2.

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