Case Western Reserve University's independent student news source

The Observer

Case Western Reserve University's independent student news source

The Observer

Case Western Reserve University's independent student news source

The Observer

Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

Cuyahoga County Election Guide

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/

Leave a Comment

Comments (0)

In an effort to promote dialogue and the sharing of ideas, The Observer encourages members of the university community to respectfully voice their comments below. Comments that fail to meet the standards of respect and mutual tolerance will be removed as necessary.
All The Observer Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *