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Densil Porteous
Densil Porteous ran for election to the Columbus City Council to represent District 7 in Ohio. He was disqualified from the primary scheduled on May 6, 2025.
Porteous completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Densil Porteous earned a bachelor's degree from Kenyon College in 2002 and a graduate degree from the University of Phoenix in 2008.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Columbus, Ohio (2025)
General election
General election for Columbus City Council District 7
Tiara Ross and Jesse Vogel are running in the general election for Columbus City Council District 7 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
 | Tiara Ross (Nonpartisan)  | |
| Jesse Vogel (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Columbus City Council District 7
Tiara Ross and Jesse Vogel defeated Kate Curry‐Da‐Souza in the primary for Columbus City Council District 7 on May 6, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tiara Ross (Nonpartisan) | 40.8 | 16,351 |
| ✔ | Jesse Vogel (Nonpartisan) | 39.1 | 15,671 | |
 | Kate Curry‐Da‐Souza (Nonpartisan) | 20.0 | 8,023 | |
| Total votes: 40,045 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Aurora Dasan (Nonpartisan)
- Densil Porteous (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
To view Porteous's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Densil Porteous completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Porteous' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My professional path has taken me from higher education to nonprofit leadership, with a focus on creating spaces where people can thrive. As the Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus and CEO of Pride Fund 1, I’ve worked to advance equity for LGBTQ+ communities, support diverse entrepreneurs, and strengthen local organizations. These roles have deepened my understanding of how policies can impact lives—and the importance of fostering a city where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.
My campaign for Columbus City Council is built on a commitment to community-centered solutions. I’m passionate about expanding affordable housing, promoting inclusive economic growth, and ensuring access to quality healthcare and mental health services. I’m also dedicated to building a Columbus that celebrates its rich cultural diversity and protects its environment for future generations.
I’m a father, a first-generation college graduate, and a longtime advocate for equity and social justice. My life experiences—shaped by challenges and triumphs—have prepared me to serve and lead with empathy, integrity, and determination.- Building Affordable and Accessible Communities Every Columbus resident deserves access to safe, affordable housing near their jobs and schools. I’m committed to expanding affordable and workforce housing, advocating for tenant rights, and fostering development policies that prioritize community needs over displacement. My personal experience growing up in a lower-income home drives my passion for ensuring housing security for all families in District 7 and beyond.
- Advocating for Equity and Inclusion As a naturalized citizen and longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, I understand the importance of representation and equity. My campaign prioritizes policies that address the intersectional challenges of race, socioeconomic status, and identity. I’m committed to creating a Columbus where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued, no matter their background or identity.
- Supporting Small Businesses and Sustainable Growth Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. I will champion initiatives that empower small and minority-owned businesses, expand access to capital, and promote community-centered development. By supporting local entrepreneurs and prioritizing sustainable practices, we can create a thriving Columbus where opportunity is accessible to all.
Columbus City Council has the authority to legislate on key issues such as housing, public safety, economic development, and environmental sustainability. These decisions not only shape the quality of life for residents but also set the tone for urban policy innovation throughout Ohio. As a city that continues to grow rapidly, Columbus needs leaders who can bridge the gap between state policies and local implementation, ensuring that the needs of its diverse communities are met.
While new, the Council’s district-based structure aims to ensure that every neighborhood has a voice in local government--down to the community level. By focusing on the unique needs of individual communities while balancing citywide priorities, Council members promote equity and inclusivity. This direct connection to residents makes the office one of the most accessible and responsive levels of government, fostering trust and accountability.
As a single mother, she worked tirelessly to provide for us, commuting over 90 minutes each way to a minimum-wage job so that we could live in a community where opportunity was within reach. Despite facing immense challenges, including her own limited formal education, she earned her GED and instilled in us the importance of hope, perseverance, and hard work.
My mother passed away in 1995 due to complications from HIV/AIDS—I was just 14 years old. Her passing marked a profound loss in my life, but her determination and love continue to guide me. Even in the face of her struggles, she never wavered in her commitment to building a better future for her children.
Baldwin challenges readers to understand that the struggles of marginalized communities are not just their burden but a reflection of the broader systems we all participate in. This philosophy informs my belief that true progress requires collective accountability and action. We cannot build a thriving community if we do not ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Baldwin’s insistence on empathy, understanding, and bold action underscores my own commitment to creating policies and spaces that center equity and inclusion.
What I find most compelling about Baldwin’s writing is his ability to weave personal narrative with sweeping societal critique. His insights into the intersections of race, power, and opportunity resonate deeply with my experiences and inform how I approach systemic challenges, whether in housing, economic development, or community safety. He reminds us that meaningful change begins with understanding—of ourselves, our history, and our shared future.
Baldwin’s call for love and understanding, even in the face of injustice, speaks to the kind of leadership I strive to embody. It’s a leadership rooted in compassion, guided by a sense of justice, and fueled by the belief that we can build a better future together.
Integrity is essential because it builds trust. We must act with honesty and transparency, making decisions based on the best interests of our constituents rather than personal or political gain. Integrity also means owning mistakes, learning from them, and striving to do better.
Empathy allows us to connect with the diverse experiences of the people we aim to represent. By understanding the challenges, hopes, and needs of their constituents, elected leaders can craft policies that are equitable, inclusive, and responsive. Empathy fosters a sense of community and reminds us that governance is about people, not just systems.
Accountability ensures that our actions align with our promises and responsibilities. An elected leader must be accessible to their constituents, open to feedback, and willing to listen—even when it’s uncomfortable. Accountability builds confidence in leadership and strengthens the relationship between officials and the public.
A strong commitment to service guides every decision. Public office is a privilege, not a platform for personal ambition. We must prioritize the well-being of our communities, championing policies that create opportunity, address systemic inequities, and improve the quality of life for all residents.
A commitment to inclusion is vital to building true community. We must ensure that every voice—regardless of race, gender, identity, or socioeconomic status—is valued and represented in decision-making. Inclusion is not just a principle; it is a practice that drives equity and ensures that policies address the needs of all constituents.
Empathy drives my decision-making. Having experienced the challenges of housing insecurity and systemic inequities firsthand, I approach leadership with an understanding of how policies affect people’s everyday lives. This perspective allows me to craft solutions that prioritize equity and address the needs of our most vulnerable residents.
Problem-solving is another key strength. Throughout my career in nonprofit leadership and advocacy, I’ve tackled complex challenges by bringing diverse voices together to find innovative solutions. Whether it’s balancing budgets, building coalitions, or addressing systemic barriers, I approach every issue with a focus on collaboration and results.
Finally, my unwavering commitment to community ensures that I remain focused on the people I serve. I view public office as an opportunity to create spaces where everyone feels valued and supported.
Representing Constituents: At its core, the role of a City Council member is to represent the voices of the people. This means actively listening to constituents, understanding their concerns, and ensuring their perspectives are reflected in city decisions. A council member should be accessible, responsive, and committed to bridging the gap between the community and city government.
Crafting and Adopting Policy: City Council members play a role in shaping the policies that govern the city. This includes passing ordinances, approving budgets, and setting strategic priorities. Effective policymaking requires collaboration, research, and foresight to address both immediate issues and long-term challenges, ensuring that Columbus continues to grow in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility: A City Council member oversees the city’s budget and spending, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are allocated responsibly and transparently. This includes funding essential services, like public safety, housing, transportation, and education, while maintaining accountability and preventing wasteful expenditures.
Advocating for Equity and Inclusion: City Council members must prioritize equity and inclusion in every aspect of their work. This involves addressing systemic disparities, advocating for marginalized communities, and ensuring that city services and opportunities are accessible to all residents, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Building Community Partnerships: Council members should work closely with community organizations, businesses, and other government entities to address shared goals and challenges. These partnerships amplify the city’s ability to create meaningful, lasting change.
What I admire most about Gatsby is his relentless hope. He sees the world not just as it is but as it could be, and he dedicates his life to creating that vision. As someone running for public office, I find that kind of optimism essential. It’s the belief that with hard work, creativity, and persistence, we can make life better for ourselves and others. At the same time, Gatsby’s story reminds us of the importance of balance—of grounding our dreams in community and authenticity, rather than illusion.
For me, this song is a reminder of why I’m running for office in the first place: to ensure that every person feels seen and valued. Whether it’s through policy, community engagement, or simply listening to someone’s story, my goal is to create spaces where people can thrive and know they matter. Music has always been a way for me to reflect and recharge, and songs like this one remind me of the importance of empathy and connection in leadership.
Another little-known responsibility is the Council’s ability to enact policies that influence environmental sustainability at a local level. Through zoning ordinances, green space preservation efforts, and infrastructure planning, Council members play a crucial role in creating a more sustainable Columbus. These decisions directly impact air and water quality, public transportation options, and the overall health and well-being of residents.
Additionally, Columbus City Council has significant authority over economic development policies, including tax incentives and abatements. This allows members to attract businesses and create jobs while ensuring that growth benefits the community as a whole. For example, the Council can negotiate agreements that include provisions for workforce housing, local hiring, or community investments as part of larger development deals.
Lastly, the Council’s power to establish or amend city ordinances allows members to address quality-of-life issues in real time, from public safety reforms to tenant protections. These legislative tools can create meaningful change at a hyper-local level, often faster and more directly than state or federal efforts.
Experience in government or politics can provide knowledge of legislative processes, budgeting, and navigating bureaucracy, which are undoubtedly helpful. These skills allow officeholders to hit the ground running and advocate effectively for their constituents. However, relying solely on traditional political experience can sometimes lead to a disconnect from the lived realities of the people being represented.
Equally valuable are leaders who bring fresh perspectives and real-world experience from outside government. Someone who has faced the challenges of starting a business, running a nonprofit, or advocating for community needs often has a deeper connection to the people they serve. They understand the barriers that residents encounter daily and can approach solutions with empathy and creativity.
Empathy is essential because it allows Council members to truly listen to residents, understand their struggles and aspirations, and craft policies that reflect the diverse voices of our community. In a city as vibrant and varied as Columbus, this skill ensures no one is left behind.
Collaboration is vital. Council members must work closely with residents, community organizations, city departments, and other elected officials to implement effective solutions. Building consensus and fostering partnerships is critical to making meaningful progress on issues like housing, public safety, and economic growth.
Strategic problem-solving is another cornerstone of effective leadership. Council members need to think critically and creatively to address the city’s challenges, from budget constraints to systemic inequities. This involves balancing immediate needs with long-term planning to ensure sustainable growth.
Additionally, expertise in community engagement is key. Council members must be accessible and transparent, creating opportunities for residents to have a voice in the decision-making process. Strong fiscal management skills are also essential to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and that investments reflect the city’s priorities.
One of Council’s most unique qualities is its ability to work at the intersection of policy and community. It has the power to craft ordinances and influence development projects. This localized governance allows Council to address issues like affordable housing, public safety, infrastructure, and economic growth in a way that is both tailored and impactful.
Another important feature of this office is its accessibility. Unlike state or federal officials, Council members are, should be, deeply embedded in their communities, making them positioned to engage directly with constituents. This proximity enables Council members to respond quickly to concerns, build trust, and create policies that reflect the lived realities of the people they represent.
Council also plays a pivotal role in equity and inclusion. As a city with a rich and diverse population, Columbus depends on leaders who are committed to ensuring that growth benefits everyone. Through initiatives like affordable housing development, small business support, and environmental sustainability, Council can work to create a city that is inclusive and forward-thinking.
Notably, Council’s ability to collaborate with other levels of government, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses makes it an essential driver of innovation. City Council's work can influences not just the future of Columbus but it also can/does serve as a model for other cities across the region--Nation.
Financial transparency ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, equitably, and in ways that directly benefit the community. This means adopting clear, accessible budgeting processes, providing regular financial updates to the public, and holding city departments accountable for their spending. Residents should never have to wonder where their tax dollars are going—they should see the impact in their neighborhoods, whether through improved infrastructure, better public services, or enhanced community programs.
Government accountability goes hand in hand with transparency. Elected officials must be accessible, responsive, and willing to listen to the needs of their constituents. It also means upholding ethical standards, addressing mistakes openly, and ensuring that the public has mechanisms to hold leaders accountable.
As a potential member of Columbus City Council, I would advocate for initiatives that make government operations more accessible and understandable to residents, including open data platforms, detailed spending reports, and opportunities for public input on budgeting and policy decisions. Accountability isn’t just about addressing challenges; it’s about demonstrating a commitment to doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
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Candidate Columbus City Council District 7 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on December 8, 2024.’’
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