Cleveland mayoral race (Jackson, Ross, Congress: violent crime, attorney, house)

[bjimmy24]

Who do you think is the right person to succeed Frank Jackson and why?

I think this is a really, really important election for Cleveland. Just wondering what people are thinking right now. Looks like the candidates will be:

Justin Bibb, an executive at an urban technology nonprofit
Ross DiBello, an attorney
Ward 7 Councilman Basheer Jones
Council President Kevin Kelley
Dennis Kucinich, the former congressman and former Cleveland mayor
Former Ward 2 Councilman Zack Reed
Landry M. Simmons, a career law enforcement officer
State Sen. Sandra Williams

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by HelloCleaveland

Kevin Kelley

why?

[Se4n]

I'm voting Dennis Kucinich because he has a history and voting record that I support and trust.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Se4n

I'm voting Dennis Kucinich because he has a history and voting record that I support and trust.

It would be interesting if Kucinich were to win again. During his first time around as Cleveland mayor, he was very controversial.

Seems strange to me that he's running again, as I was only in my teens the first time he was mayor. At 17, between my junior and senior years of high school, I had a part-time summer job working in his office (I reported directly to his Executive Assistant). I was there during his recall election, where he escaped being booted out of office by only 300 votes. Now I'm in my 60s, and he's running for mayor again.

I really don't know who I'd pick for Cleveland mayor right now. I need to study the candidates more closely.

[ohioaninsc]

Kucinich bankrupted the city when he was mayor so no thank you...he was decent in Congress but couldn't hold onto his seat against the very average Marcia Fudge if I'm not mistaking once they combined their districts.

Can't we find someone w/ actual good leadership skills and some outside the box ideas to end the violent crime increases, and actually improve our schools and get the whole city moving forward?

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by ohioaninsc

Kucinich bankrupted the city when he was mayor so no thank you...he was decent in Congress but couldn't hold onto his seat against the very average Marcia Fudge if I'm not mistaking once they combined their districts.

Can't we find someone w/ actual good leadership skills and some outside the box ideas to end the violent crime increases, and actually improve our schools and get the whole city moving forward?

Kucinich at least thus far has focused almost exclusively on stopping violent crime.

[Tess_Vantassel]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Kucinich at least thus far has focused almost exclusively on stopping violent crime.

Well he can’t exactly run on his Accomplishments from last time he was mayor, can he? Ohioans have long memories, there is no way he’ll win.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by Tess_Vantassel

Well he can’t exactly run on his Accomplishments from last time he was mayor, can he? Ohioans have long memories, there is no way he’ll win.

Pretty sure he polled initially with the best numbers. Worth pointing out his term as mayor was in the 70s, also at a time when many big cities were undergoing massive financial issues. Hardly a unique Cleveland thing, though I guess a young mayor at the time is as good a whipping boy as any. Cleveland almost went bankrupt in the 70s. NYC actually did go bankrupt. Not sure how relevant the 70s are anymore.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Tess_Vantassel

Well he can’t exactly run on his Accomplishments from last time he was mayor, can he? Ohioans have long memories, there is no way he’ll win.

Many of today's voting-age Ohioans weren't even born yet when Kucinich was mayor.

[mbowes80]

I don't yet have strong feelings for or against any of the candidates, honestly. It's a very unpopular opinion, but I think Frank Jackson has done an pretty decent job, and the city is more or less in a positive direction. Violent crime spike can't be blamed on him, as it's a national phenomenon that's affected pretty much every city -- no worse here than elsewhere. Jackson has also avoided the kind of rampant corruption that apparently has plagued area politics for decades.

Bibb must've done something to get a lot of attention, as I see his signs everywhere. Turner is associated with Sanders ... fine, I guess ... that should get her some run. Kevin Kelly doesn't seem to have done anything to distinguish himself in his many years in council, and seems to have problems with transparency, from what I hear. According to a flier I got, my house is basically going to burn down if I don't vote for him. Meh.