DAYTON, Ohio — Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley delivered her farewell address to the city that has molded her political career.

What You Need To Know

  • Nan Whaley delivered her farewell address at the downtown Dayton Library

  • She spoke of the struggles and challenges she and the city faced together over the past eight years

  • Whaley is proud of how the community has always pulled together in the face of tough times

  • Whaley is now running for Governor of Ohio
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Arriving to a standing ovation from an estimated crowd of 100 people, Whaley delivered her farewell speech to the City of Dayton on the anniversary of the Wright brothers becoming the first humans to fly. 

“The Wrights weren’t fancy or renowned,” she said. “They didn’t even have high school diplomas. But they proved that ingenuity, and perseverance and grit could pay off.” 

Whaley said Dayton’s story since she took over as mayor in 2014 is similar — not giving up on Dayton as most people had. 

“I refused to accept that, and I knew I wasn’t alone in wanting to fight for Dayton,” she said. 

Dayton has faced its fair share of challenges under Whaley’s leadership.

From the opioid epidemic to the ongoing pandemic, Whaley said the city is stronger after going through all the struggle. But the response to the Oregon District mass shooting is her most proud moment.  

“What I saw made me stronger,” Whaley said while holding back tears. “In your faces, I saw terrible sorrow, but I also saw incredible resolve. Something unthinkable has happened to all of us, but we were not going to let that make us afraid.” 

Jeffrey Mims Jr. is set to take over as the next mayor of the city, being sworn in Jan. 3. He said Whaley has been a star for the Gem City.

“It’s just been a tremendous ride, there’s been a lot of great things that have come about thanks to her leadership,” Mims Jr. said. “She’s not one that procrastinates.” 

Whaley now moves on to pursue the governor’s seat in Ohio, but she said the lessons she learned as the mayor of Dayton will stick with her forever. 

“Never underestimate the power of a community,” Whaley said. “A community can be strong and come together. I’ve witnessed that, and get to be apart of that for the past eight years. That is the thing that just holds me to whatever comes next. When given the choice a community will do the right thing and they will help each other out.”