Jason Patterson isn’t qualifying to have his name on the ballot this week, but he is running one of the most high-profile campaigns in Columbus. Dubbed “Anybody but Isaiah Hugley,” Patterson is on a quest to enlighten voters about past issues, problems and scandals the city has seen during Hugley’s tenure as city manager.
“If he wasn’t doing his job as the city manager the dog pound, the sports authorities everything that has been in failure and he was in charge of it, he’s responsible for it and I will oppose him being mayor, city manager anything in our government again,” Patterson tells Now Georgia.
If Isaiah Hugley is present, there’s a good chance Patterson is close by with a large sign sharing his opinion with anybody who will listen. He camped outside Hugley’s campaign kickoff and shows up at his meet and greet sessions letting the public know where he stands.
“People are learning and seeing and I’m posting about what all the failures were making people aware, making people aware of what’s happening in our city and we need a change. Columbus wants a change and the citizens want a change, and they’ve got to learn that our voice matters that we are the city,” said Patterson
Another one of Patterson’s slogans is “Make Columbus Great Again” borrowing from a MAGA theme. Asked if his campaign against Hugley is a partisan effort, Patterson said Democrats have also used that slogan in the past. “Did you know that Ronald Reagan was the first President to use that slogan, then Bill Clinton, then Trump and yes America is my country and I’m a proud American!! So, Clinton was a democrat. What’s the difference, because I’m more conservative in my beliefs? And Hugley is a hard-core democrat, and this is supposed to be a non-partisan race. So why does he push his democratic views?”
Patterson said people are starting to notice and they are starting to question things. “I get horn honks and waves now and people stop to talk to me about it more now.” He says spending his valuable time and energy on such a campaign is important because the election for the next mayor of Columbus is of utmost importance. “So why do I do this? Well, it’s my duty as a citizen of Columbus. I’m a native here,” Patterson said.
“Accountability is one reason. I was held accountable for my actions and took responsibility for them, and it changed my life. Transparency is another one. I was open when I started this and now look. We need the same from our government representatives. This election is one of most importance for Columbus and its citizens!! I want the citizens to know that their voice and their votes do matter. I want the citizens to know that these representatives are supposed to work for us the people and the city as a whole!”
