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About Rebecca Styn - Democrat running for Erie City Council - Age: 38 - Occupation: Senior sales manager at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel. - Education: Master's degree in public administration from Gannon University; bachelor's degree in piano performance from Mercyhurst College. - Personal: Married to Rob Mahrt. - Running because: "I've always loved local government. ... I want to see a healthy and vibrant city."

This is a Jan. 2015 contributed photo of Rebecca Styn who is running for Erie City Council as a Democrat for one of three seats on the ballot in May. CONTRIBUTED/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

Rebecca Styn is taking another shot at local politics.

After running unsuccessfully for Erie County Council four years ago, Styn, a 38-year-old Democrat, has announced her candidacy for Erie City Council.

"I've spent my entire life in this community being involved in a number of ways," said Styn, the senior sales manager at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel. "I want to see progress, and I want to challenge the status quo. That's why I am running."

Three City Council seats will be on the ballot in the May 19 municipal primary, including the one held by Democrat Jessica Horan-Kunco, who is barred from running again because of the city's three-term limit. The others are held by Democrats Bob E. Merski and Mel Witherspoon. Both said they will seek re-election.

Styn was a registered Republican, living in Millcreek Township, when she ran for County Council's 1st District seat in 2011, losing to Democrat Phil Fatica.

She became a registered Democrat later that year after actively supporting Democrat Sean Wiley's successful bid for the state Senate's 49th District seat. Styn said she also supported Democrat Kathy Dahlkemper when she won the race for Erie County executive in 2013.

"It just seemed like a natural progression for me to switch," said Styn, who moved to Erie in May 2014. "It just made sense."

Styn also admitted that running for City Council as a Democrat is easier, given Erie's more than 2-1 Democratic voter registration edge.

See the original post:
Former County Council candidate Styn to run for Erie City Council