Wagner announces Dayton mayoral run

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - The contest to determine who will be Dayton's next mayor picked up its first participant Tuesday morning.

A.J. Wagner announced his intention to run in the 2013 election.

Wagner pointed to his experience as one of the reasons he'd make a good mayor.

He says he's worked for the city in the past. He's also been Montgomery County Auditor and was a Common Pleas Court judge before retiring a little more than a year ago.

"This resume gives me a view of the inner workings of this community like no other," Wagner says.

Wagner told 2 NEWS he always envisioned adding to that resume after retirement by working for a non-profit.

In running to be mayor of Dayton, he's tackling a non-profit unlike any other.

"I can help the most people in the most positive ways," Wagner says. "It's the largest non-profit in the county."

2 NEWS asked Wagner about his plans for Dayton if he's elected. He says one of the biggest things he would change is making the city more business friendly.

"Some of the city workers aren't welcoming to businesses who want to come in to get permits to repair things and build things," Wagner says.

Wagner's strongest stance may have come on the issue of the city's red light and speed cameras and the towing enforcement strategy to go after violators who don't pay.

"I believe they're unconstitutional," Wagner says of the cameras. "I believe you cannot define speeding as a crime and then treat everything as a civil penalty."

Wagner says he's excited about the campaign and expects he'll have others join him soon in the race.

2 NEWS asked current Mayor Gary Leitzell's office about Wagner running.

They tell us the Mayor wishes him good luck and will decide later this summer if he's going to seek re-election.