Stepping into the role of acting mayor in the city of Kent, Jack Amrhein hopes to carry out the legacy of longtime Kent Mayor Jerry Fiala.

“It’s still kind of jarring that he’s gone,” said Amrhein. “It was a tough week. But a good, good man and one who loved this community more than you’ll ever know.”

In his role as president pro tem for Kent City Council, Jack Amrhein became the acting mayor last week in addition to his position as the Ward 2 councilman.

As of Oct. 9, 2025, under Article V, section seven, if a vacancy in the office occurs, the council can select a member of the current Council to carry out the duties of the mayor.

Amrhein served on the council for nearly 18 years and is running unopposed for the mayoral seat this November. Kent’s mayor is a ceremonial position, presiding over all meetings of the Council but has no vote in its proceedings, except in the event of a tie.

A former teacher at Kent City Schools, Amrhein shared that his students were the ones who initially encouraged him to run for office. Seventeen years later, Kent’s acting mayor says Fiala, who was not seeking reelection, encouraged him to take on the role of mayor.

“I guess I wanna try to continue Jerry’s legacy and be everybody’s friend,” said Amrhein.

City Council will vote on Wednesday within the current body, which will finish out the rest of Mayor Fiala’s term this year.

KSTV’s Sydney Brown has the full story.

Sydney Brown is a Kent Stater TV Reporter. Contact her at [email protected].