We continue our Democratic primary candidate series ahead of the May 6th vote by welcoming Nadia Rasul, a longtime Hilliard resident and first-time City Council candidate.
From Youngstown to Hilliard:
Born to immigrant parents in Youngstown, Ohio, and a proud graduate of Ohio State’s College of Pharmacy, Nadia and her husband moved to Hilliard in 1989, raising their four children through Hilliard schools (all graduating from Ohio State!)
A Local Pharmacist's Perspective:
Rasul spent decades behind the counter at Kroger pharmacies in Hilliard, witnessing the community’s growth and evolving demographics. She reflected warmly on earlier days when Hilliard was smaller, its fields open, and the pharmacy business allowed for deeper patient care—before corporate consolidation, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and other factors reshaped healthcare delivery. Rasul said her years in pharmacy taught her both the importance of personal service and the need to adapt to change—a spirit she says she now brings to her council run.
Campaign Motivation:
Despite entering the race alongside two other Muslim candidates, Rasul was clear: as a candidate she defines herself first as a Hilliard mom, pharmacist, volunteer, and neighbor who happens to be Muslim. In our conversation she stressed her years of city service in volunteer capacities, including roles with the Hilliard YMCA Board, the Parks and Rec Commission, and local schools—even years after her own children graduated.
Vision for Hilliard:
The candidate says she wants the city to retain its unique, welcoming charm—continue to develop its walkable neighborhoods and community programming—while managing growth carefully. She stressed the need for proactive resident engagement, proposing neighborhood representatives to liaise directly with Council.
Nadia also called for longer-range planning (20+ years), greater adherence to community input, and a willingness to pivot when needed, even if it means admitting mistakes.
Recreation, YMCA and the New WELL Facility:
On local recreation, Rasul sees room for both the established YMCA and the city’s new WELL Center to thrive. She anticipates the Y continuing to serve seniors and families drawn to its Silver Sneakers program, while the WELL offers additional options for younger and growing families. She would also like to see continued growth and support for our outdoor parks as community event spaces.
To hear our full conversation on these topics and more take a listen or read the transcript Substack provides.
Our coverage will conclude with our final Democratic Primary interview (Samer Bazerbashi) to be posted to our site Friday (5/2) and a summary post over the weekend prior to May 6th election day.
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