Since its creation as a town in the 18th century, the Politics of Dayton, Ohio have adapted to and reflected the changing needs of the community, from the Miami and Erie Canal through the World War II "Dayton Project" to the present day.
The city government of Dayton, Ohio, is governed by a city commission comprising five commissioners, one of whom is the mayor. The commissioners serve staggered, four-year terms. Commissioners are elected two at a time in open, at-large, nonpartisan elections. The four top vote-getters in the primary election go on to compete in the general election, regardless of party membership. The top two vote-getters in the general election are elected. As of November 1969, the mayor is elected in a separate election. Although the elections are nominally nonpartisan, the Democratic and Republican parties nominate candidates.
Matt Joseph (D)
Darryl Fairchild (D)
Hazel Roundtree (D)
Jeffrey J. Mims, Jr. (D): 8,698
David Esrati (D): 4,394
Nan Whaley (D): 17,066
Nan Whaley (D): 16,874
Richard A. Zimmer (D): 19,151
Abner J. Orick (R): 9,038
From 1820 to 1828, Dayton was governed by a seven-member city council headed by a council president.