2025 Candidate Profile: Jacob Davis for Dayton Commission

Candidate Information

Full Name:

Jacob Davis                                                                             

Office Sought: 

Dayton City Commission

Political Party (if applicable): 

Democrat

Campaign Website or Social Media (optional): 

www.davisfordayton.com

Email or Contact Info for Voters (optional): 

jacobdavislegal@gmail.com

Biographical Information

Current Occupation and Employer: 

Partner and Attorney at Nalls Davis 

Education (schools, degrees, certifications): 

University of Dayton, Juris Doctor

Middle Tennessee State University, B.S. Political Science

Relevant Professional Experience:

I currently serve as a Partner and Managing Attorney at Nalls Davis. In my role, I provide legal services in the areas of business/nonprofit law, employment law, estate planning, fair housing law, and real estate law. Additionally, I oversee the firm's internship/externship programs. Previously, I worked for the City of Dayton Human Relations Council where I enforced the City's anti-discrimination ordinances in the areas of credit, employment, housing, and public accommodations. I also oversaw community-police relations initiatives including the Community Appeals Board, Know Your Rights Campaign, and Community Orientation Day at the Dayton Police Academy. I served as a policy analyst on the police reform oversight group. In addition, I was responsible for youth programming and oversaw our MLK Day events.

I have also worked at a multinational law firm where I focused on complex document review projects in the areas of government investigations and class actions. Before entering law school, I spent four years working in the consumer finance and insurance industry.

Public Service and Community Involvement: 

• House of Bread, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors

• FreeWill, Fellow

• Gem City Market, Member and former Co-Chair of the Operating Refresh Committee

• American Bar Association, Member

• Ohio State Bar Association, Member

• Mount Vernon Neighborhood Association, Member

Family (optional): 

I have a beautiful wife, Margaret, and a wonderful three-year old daughter. They mean everything to me.

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running for this office? 

I am running for Dayton City Commission to shake things up and bring a fresh perspective and new ideas. I will bring a pro-worker/tenant/consumer/small business agenda to the Commission. I sense that with a shift in our priorities we can disrupt generational poverty, clean up our neighborhoods, promote community-police relations, engage our youth with new programming and recreational opportunities, and create a government that works for all people in Dayton.

I am a relationship builder and a change agent. I get things done, and I believe that I can be a voice for the voiceless at City Hall.

What are your top priorities if elected? 

My top priorities are neighborhood revitalization, housing and economic justice, and youth engagement. I am proposing that we adopt a 15-minute city plan where all zoning and land use decisions must ensure that all residents are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride of a grocery store, recreation center, park, health services, and other vital amenities. This plan improves accessibility, reduces reliance on cars, and promotes healthier, more sustainable urban living. I am also proposing that the City create a new litter/trash removal division where city staff will clean neighborhoods on a daily basis. This proposal will be modeled after the DDP's Ambassador Program.

I also believe that we have to make it easier to build alternative forms of housing. By increasing supply, we can bring down costs and make affordable housing a reality in many of our neighborhoods. Housing is generally how generational wealth is passed down, so we need to focus on making homeownership a priority to reduce generational poverty. I also favor inclusionary zoning policies that encourage economic development and provides a percentage of affordable housing units in each new residential development project.

Finally, we have to give our students and young people a chance. I want to focus on new internship/apprenticeship programs for DPS students and work to improve our recreation and youth engagement programming.

What qualifications, skills, or experiences make you the best candidate for this position? 

I have a unique skillset and experience. I am the only attorney running for this office and would be the first attorney on the Dayton City Commission in two decades. I am skilled at navigating complex issues, negotiating resolutions, and mediating difficult disputes. I have the ability to draft my own legislation and negotiate with my colleagues to pass common sense policies.

I also have the unique perspective of serving as a small business owner in the city of Dayton and formerly served a city employee. We must make it easier to do business in the city of Dayton. I have an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the city government, and I believe that I can help us strengthen protections at the local level to ensure that all can live, work, play, entertain, and gather in the city of Dayton.

What do you see as the most important issue facing [Community/County/State] right now, and how would you address it? 

The most important issue facing the city right now is a lack of vision and leadership. We need leaders who understand the issues but also have the skillset and experience to find solutions to the issues that our residents and small businesses face on a daily basis.

For example, crime and public safety are important topics--especially when it comes to our young people. I think most people recognize the issue, but there is a constant desire in the city government to 'kick the can' down the road rather than tackling the issues in the present.

A fancy marketing campaign is not going to fix the issue. Those funds are better utilized creating new apprenticeship programs and partnerships, which provide good paying jobs and help disrupt generational poverty. Those funds are also better spent on parks and recreation which give our young people a space to be active and engage with one another and create a sense of community.

I would address the issue by providing a new vision and leadership. I would tackle the issues and start drafting new guidance for the City Manager to carry out on Day 1.

How would you engage with and remain accountable to the constituents you serve? 

• I am proposing a new "Coffee with a Commissioner" concept where I will be available weekly for residents to meet up at a local business and discuss important issues. I will invite other commissioners and elected leaders to participate.

• I will also address constituent concerns at commission meetings rather than ignoring comments during the public comment period.

• Lastly, I am proposing to host two town halls per year where residents can come together in a larger space and learn about what we are doing as a city and ask questions during the town hall.

Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you or your campaign? (optional).

I am a proud resident of northwest Dayton, an attorney, and a dedicated advocate for working families. I was raised in a blue-collar household with a loud and proud UAW-mom. I am a first generation college graduate having earned a law degree from the University of Dayton.

As an attorney, I have worked tirelessly to support small businesses, protect homeowners and tenants, and advocate for fair housing, employment rights, and economic opportunities for all. I believe that a strong Dayton starts with strong neighborhoods, good-paying jobs, and a government that works for all Daytonians.

I vow to be a voice for the underserved and most at-risk in our community.