Jerry Austin
Political Party: Democratic.
Personal: 67. Born in New York City and now lives in Tallmadge.
Involved in politics since: 1968.
Political experience: Worked on numerous national, statewide and local races, including serving as the national campaign manager for Jesse Jackson for president in 1988.
Education: Bachelor’s in history, master’s in education and master’s in public administration.
Politician most admires (living or dead): [No answer]
One word he would use to describe the current state of American politics: Depressing.
All-time favorite movie: The Graduate.
All-time favorite TV show: Seinfeld.
Words he lives by: “Wet birds don’t fly at night.”
Favorite junk food: None.
Two things he would take on a desert island: Any Robert Caro book on Lyndon B. Johnson and a non-chargeable, battery-operated CD player with songs by Paul Simon, Harry Chapin and Rodriguez.
Mark Weaver
Political party: Republican.
Personal: 51. Born in Philadelphia. Now lives and works in the Columbus area.
Involved in politics since: 1984.
Political experience: Consulted on more than 700 campaigns in 17 states, including several U.S. Senate and governor races. Attorney for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s campaign in Ohio.
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science and a law degree.
Politician he most admires (living or dead): Tie between Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. (He directed Reagan in his last TV program.)
One word he would use to describe the current state of American politics: Divided.
All-time favorite movie: It’s a Wonderful Life.
All-time favorite TV show: Friday Night Lights.
Words he lives by: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Favorite junk food: Bacon.
Two things he would take on a desert island: My wife isn’t a “thing,” but my wife and a well-stocked, solar-paneled Kindle.
