Martin J. Sweeney will remain on Cuyahoga County Council next year after winning the Democratic primary Tuesday because no Republican is on the ballot in November.
Sweeney, a longtime elected official and party insider, defeated Anise Mayo and Stephanie K. Thomas, who both took the uncommon step of challenging an incumbent. Sweeney had the backing of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party.
Sweeney, who was also endorsed by Mayor Justin Bibb and the Plain Dealer, told Signal Cleveland last month that his relationship with state and city leaders make him an effective council member. He also called for improving the relationship between council and County Executive Chris Ronayne.
“I have the ability to communicate with a lot of people,” he said. “And people, for the most part, have a faith in me that I am trying to figure it out with them.”
Mayo, a registered nurse who has made health care a key part of her campaign message, didn’t directly criticize Sweeney during the campaign. She criticized the county’s decision to build a new jail in Garfield Heights, saying it was too costly. She also said the new jail would create inefficiencies in the justice system because the courts remain in downtown Cleveland. People waiting for hearings or trial will have to be shuttled between the two locations. The Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus backed her.
Thomas, an architect and general contractor from Northeast Ohio, discussed affordable housing and rent control on the campaign trail. She also complained the jail project was too costly.
District 3 includes neighborhoods such as Detroit-Shoreway, Edgewater, Clark-Fulton, West Boulevard and part of Old Brooklyn. Linndale and the city of Brooklyn are also in the district.
