IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Passed – Voter Registration
Tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 4 – Mailing Deadline to Request Absentee Ballots
Monday, Sept. 6 – Postmark Deadline for Absentee Ballots
Tuesday, Sept. 7 – Election Day (6:30 a.m – 7:30 p.m) Absentee Ballots returned in person must be received by 7:30 PM
What’s at stake?
The creation of an entirely new government for Cuyahoga County. Gone is to the old system of three county commissioners. In its place will be a singular County Executive, serving a four-year term, and an 11-member city council. Council members will also serve four-year terms, with terms staggered so half the seats are up for election every two years. If you’re registered to vote at your campus address, you’re in County Council District 7.
All candidates are listed in the order they appear on the ballot
The Candidates – County Executive
Democrats
James F. Brown, 51
Campaign Website: none
Fundraising: below filing requirements
Major Endorsements: none
Quick Take: Newcomer with intentionally passive campaign
Terri Hamilton Brown, 48
Campaign Website: http://www.terrihamiltonbrown.com/
Fundraising: approx. $94,000
Major Endorsements: Mayor Frank Jackson, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11)
Quick Take: Former agency head completes likely two-way race with FitzGerald
Edward FitzGerald, 42
Campaign Website: http://edfitzgerald.org/
Fundraising: approx. $140,000
Major Endorsements: Cuyahoga County Democratic Party (CCDP), Plain Dealer, AFL-CIO
Quick Take: Lakewood mayor has landed majority of heavy-hitting endorsements
Dianna Lynn Hill, 35
Campaign Website: http://twitter.com/DiannaLynnHill
Fundraising: below filing requirements
Major Endorsements: none
Quick Take: Colorful newcomer calls herself “a soldier, not a politician.”
Republicans
Matt Dolan, 45
Campaign Website: http://electmattdolan.com/
Fundraising: approx. $561,000
Major Endorsements: Cuyahoga County Republican Party, Plain Dealer
Quick Take: Son of Indians owner and former state representative lands party backing
Victor S. Voinovich Sr, 64
Campaign Website: http://www.electvictor.com/
Fundraising: approx. $16,000
Major Endorsements: none
Quick Take: Brother of Senator attempting to capitalize on name recognition
Paul Casey, 40
Campaign Website: http://www.paulcasey.us/
Fundraising: approx. $400
Major Endorsements: none
Quick Take: Newcomer stresses Christian faith in campaign
Greens
David H. Ellison
Campaign Website: http://www.electdavidellison.com/
Fundraising: approx. $2,600
Major Endorsements: none
Quick Take: Third-party candidate unopposed in primary
The Candidates – County Council District 7
Democrats
Michael Leroy Nelson Sr, 61
Campaign Website: http://mikenelsonsr.com/
Quick Take: Attorney wins only endorsements in race CCDP avoids endorsing
Major Endorsements: Congresswoman Marsha Fudge (OH-11), Plain Dealer
Timothy J. Russo, 42
Campaign Website: http://www.timrusso.org/
Quick Take: Convicted felon and blogger has unusual background
Major Endorsements: none
Dale Alan Smith, 42
Campaign Website: dalesmith4cleveland.com
Quick Take: Background in tourism marks campaign focus
Major Endorsements: none
Timothy Trogdon, 50
Campaign Website: productsearchbytim.weebly.com
Quick Take: Campaign struggling for specifics, visibility
Major Endorsements: none
Clark Broida, 48
Campaign Website: Facebook group “Clark Broida for Cuyahoga County Council – District 7”
Quick Take: Focus on service over economic development chief campaign message
Major Endorsements: none
Yvonne M. Conwell, 45
Campaign Website: none
Quick Take: Wife of ward councilman seems to have no visible campaign
Major Endorsements: none
James M. D’Amico, 55
Campaign Website: none
Quick Take: Newcomer focusing on crime
Major Endorsements: none
James Levin, 56
Campaign Website: http://levin4cleveland.com/
Quick Take: Attorney and founder of Cleveland Public Theatre received positive Plain Dealer coverage
Major Endorsements: none
Victor L. Miller, 29
Campaign Website: none
Quick Take: Brother of a City Councilman lacks visible campaign presence
Major Endorsements: none
Republicans
Phyllis Lucia Crespo
Campaign Website: http://www.phylliscrespo.com/
Quick Take: Unopposed in primary with tough battle in general
Major Endorsements: Cuyahoga County Republican Party
keep your eye on…
Independents
If you’ve been to Little Italy or ridden the RTA in the past several months, you’ve seen the ads for County Executive candidate Ken Lanci. He is one of several independent candidates vying to be on the ballot for the November general election. Since Tuesday is a party primary, you won’t see any independents on the ballot next week. Keep an eye out for them, though – some, notably Lanci – have the money to run competitive campaigns.
Want to know more?
Check out the following sources which were used to compile information for this guide.
http://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/
http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/