Newark 1st Ward Republican Councilman Michael Houser announced during the Feb. 17 council meeting that he has moved to the 5th Ward on the west side and is therefore stepping down from his seat representing the east side.
“When I was elected, what I brought to the table was energy and a passion to serve the community,” Houser said in a statement to The Reporting Project. “I certainly lacked experience, but I was fortunate that I joined a council that worked collaboratively and had great leadership.”
State law says that elected officials who move from the ward they were elected to serve must resign. In addition to representing the 1st Ward, Houser served on the council’s Budget Review, Economic Development, Street, Recreation, Public Safety, and Finance committees.
Houser’s seat will be filled by an individual selected by the Republican Central Committee for the 1st Ward. The selection committee will be made up of the two people from each of the 1st Ward voting precincts. State law says people running for such a position must have lived in the ward for at least a year.
Houser was reelected in 2025 and his term runs through 2029. Houser is a Licking County native who works as a wealth management adviser at Park National Bank.
In his final comments to the council, Houser expressed gratitude to his fellow council members for their mentorship and partnership during his time in office and said he hoped that he represented the constituents of his ward well.
Houser said that he has new respect for people who “devote their time to moving our community forward.” He made it clear that this is not the end of his service to the Newark community.
“My leaving council was due to moving outside of my ward,” he said. “It was a difficult decision, and not one I made lightly. In the end, it was the best thing for my family.”
The nine other members of the city council who were present at the meeting also expressed gratitude and appreciation for Houser’s service.
“It’s been an honor sitting next to you this very short time,” said Councilwomen Beth Bline who represents the 2nd Ward. “I wish you all the best, and I know you have a bright future ahead of you.”
At-large Councilman Dustin Neely regaled the group with a story from before either of them were on the council. When Houser house sat for him in 2017, Neely’s dog ate Houser’s wallet. Neely said Houser was “such a gentleman” that he didn’t say a word to Neely until Neely found half of Houser’s credit card under his couch. Neely said Houser is a gentleman to his core.
Houser said he hopes to stay involved in city government.
“This is something I have always been passionate about,” he said. “Outside of this, I will continue to be focused on my career, and serving on various nonprofit boards.”
Nora Meeks writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.