Democrats picked Christine McIntosh, a former member of Euclid City Council, as the party’s choice to replace outgoing Democratic Cuyahoga County Council Member Sunny Simon.
McIntosh will face Republican candidate William McLaughlin in November, but the district’s voting patterns favor Democrats.
The 11-member council makes decisions about county services and major projects, including the nearly $900 million new jail, lakefront development and stadiums.
McIntosh, who now works as a city planner for the Cleveland suburb, bested Shirley Smith and Ebony Spano. None of the candidates received enough votes from local Cuyahoga County Democratic Party executive committee members to secure the party’s endorsement, which can influence primary results. McIntosh, though, carried the backing of Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne and other prominent public officials.
Smith, who benefited from high name recognition, placed second. She served as both a state representative and a state senator. In 2014, she ran in the Democratic primary for Cuyahoga County executive, finishing behind winner Armond Budish.
Spano, a U.S. Navy veteran and mother of two school-age children, was endorsed by Richmond Heights Mayor Kim Thomas, the Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus and others.
Simon didn’t seek reelection in District 11 because she is running for judge on the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court.
