Sceniak
A former Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate is running for Greenwood City Council.
James Sceniak filed to run for one of the city council’s three at-large seats Monday. Sceniak, a Greenwood resident and behavioral therapist who works with children with autism, previously ran for U.S. Senate last year, challenging Sen. Todd Young, a Republican, and Tom McDermott Jr., a Democrat.
Sceniak is running for city council because he wants to bring the Libertarian principles of reduced government and more accountability within government to Greenwood. Local government is where people have the most influence and can make the most change, he told the Daily Journal Monday afternoon.
“I’m excited to get some energy that I put into the Senate race, and really put forth a level of integrity and accountability on the local level,” Sceniak said.
Through his work as a behavior therapist, Sceniak has learned about having compassion to serve his community. He believes by showing empathy and compassion for those serving in politics, a huge difference can be made, he said.
“That’s what I want to see with local government, more of a heart take on how we serve,” Sceniak said.
An issue Sceniak will focus on during his campaign is how the city is spending taxpayer dollars. The city has done great things with its parks, for example, but he wants to make sure this isn’t at an extreme cost to taxpayers and that officials focus on making this more accessible, he said.
He also wants to make sure the programs are something taxpayers actually want.
“Really, when we get down to it, it’s about that accountability,” Sceniak said.
Sceniak says he wants his potential constituents to know they can come to him about anything and he’ll try to help. He’s ready to make a difference, he said.
“When I think of public service, I think of being very accessible; that’s what I want to be to my community,” Sceniak said. “I want to be accessible and ready to listen to their concerns.”
Sceniak, who was chosen at a Libertarian convention, will not be on voter’s ballots in May as the Libertarian Party will not have a primary ballot. He will appear on ballots this fall alongside three Republican at-large candidates that will be chosen in the May Republican primary.
There are currently no Democrats seeking an at-large seat, though two have filed to run for two residency-based seats on the council.
In the Republican Primary, six candidates are running for the city council’s three at-large seats: current council members Erin Betron and Mike Campbell, and challengers Bob Golinski, Steve Moan, Brian Moore and Ronald Palmer.
