There are seven Cleveland suburban Republican mayors in solidly Democratic towns; Rocky River, Mayfield Heights, Bay Village, Lyndhurst, Berea, Chagrin Falls, and Westlake. Who is preparing to challenge them next year or in 2025?
I do not mean just to write about suburban mayors. But hopefully the headline will work to get people to read and consider this. There are over a hundred Republican suburban city council members. Numerous GOP school board seats will be up next year as well as other kinds of elected suburban offices. Of course there are plenty of ineffective Democrats and Independents to consider running against as well. The time to encourage challengers to these people is not next year, potential candidates need to prepare and the filing deadline will be well before the November election. Often a municipal filing deadline is when there is still snow on the ground.
If you find yourself calling around next year just before the filing deadline you are probably just going to find a warm body to put their name on the ballot. You might get away with that for a two precinct council race. But if you are looking for a mayoral candidate to spend over $30,000 and campaign hard? Good luck, you’ll need it.
Take up this task and you will learn the meaning of the saying: Elections are won and lost on Filing Day.
So now is the time to talk to your neighbors about who might run. Yes, there are important elections occurring right now. But after the election comes Thanksgiving, (“Honey, it’s Thanksgiving. No one wants to hear that now”). Then it’s Christmas, (“Dear, don’t be rude. It’s Christmas!”). Nevermind “Happy New Year!”
Even people that have worked in political campaigns in the past will need time to prepare. Most of us have noticed many candidates that did not adequately prepare. I remember a city council challenger that scheduled a week-long vacation between Labor Day and the November election. That did not please the supporters much.
So kind readers, you are now drafted to recruit candidates. It’s easy. It’s fun. Talk/email/post to everyone you know in the neighborhood and say, “Someone should run against Mayor/Councilmember ________ next year. Pass it on.”
Often a person you are talking to will be the one to bite. That does not mean that you definitely have a candidate. You don’t have a candidate until they file their petitions properly.
When we get someone with an interest, this is what potential candidates need to do to have a satisfying run for office. Use the following to counsel them or send them to Steve Holecko at the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus (give Steve a call at 440-220-1874 or send him an email at steve@cuycpc.org).
Google yourself.
As well as check your other social media accounts. The reporters and your opponent will.
Understand that you are now a public figure.
I remember a challenger my friends were all excited about. He filed and the reporter writing the Filing Day report found the police report of an embarrassing domestic dispute. He promptly withdrew after the filing deadline was passed of course. The incumbent went unchallenged.
The second people learn that you have taken out a petition for public office, you are a public figure. They will talk about you, your spouse, your kids, your parents, your job, etc… You better grow a thick skin fast. And everyone you love too.
Talk to your spouse.
One of my first recruits didn’t. He was divorced soon after he lost.
Talk to and consider your children.
Remember the Fourth of July shooter this year whose father ran for mayor a few years ago in that Illinois town? Extreme example, but we do get the point, right?
Talk to your family and friends.
This will be your major source of volunteer support.
Talk to your local Democratic precinct people.
Hopefully they will be a source of help as well.
Check with your job.
Certain government jobs do not allow you to run, period. Certain corporations may bar you or frown upon it. In small companies, you better knock on the owner’s door to ask what they think.
Check your finances.
You might have to pay for much of the campaign out of your own pocket. If the town or ward is only a couple precincts that could be only a couple thousand dollars that you can afford. If we are talking about a mayor’s race in a typical sized suburb that will multiply to 20-30 thousand dollars.
Do research.
Don’t embarrass yourself and us. Learn about the issues and the history of your town.
Short detour. Some of you live in a Cleveland suburban Mayberry. Don’t campaign for Hunting Valley City Council talking about Trump’s crimes and Medicaid for All. Learn the mistake of the Trumper former North Royalton Councilman that recruited a slate of Republicans who got their ass kicked last year. North Royalton is slightly Red, but they didn’t want to hear about it for their city hall. Some people may need to run a student council level campaign. “The incumbent is nice, but I always wanted to serve on the council. You can call me for anything, Mrs. Jones.” Be prepared to bag up dead squirrels and other critters, folks.
Talk to your opponent. Yes, talk to your future opponent.
Depending on where you live, the incumbent may have been appointed to the seat and may have been unopposed ever since. They may just hand it to you if you are cordial. Most suburban council positions are basically part-time, almost volunteer, positions. They are choosing between the church council and the city council for their volunteer time.
Here is a personal example of that. My Ex ran and lost to another woman. The winning woman and my Ex stayed friendly. At the end of that term the winner decided she did not want to serve again. She wanted my Ex to have it. Long story short: My Ex is now a senior member of that governing body.
Go to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (BOE) for all information on your town’s filing information.
Do not get paranoid about going to the BOE for all the information you need to file for office. Their job is to assist everyone to get on the ballot and file their campaign finance reports properly. They are equally staffed by Democrats and Republicans. Your City Hall could tweak requirements to run in your town, but it is the BOE that will enforce those laws fairly.
Get trained.
Learn how to be an effective candidate. Get your 30 second pitch down. Learn how to write effective literature. Call Steve for help there.
Most local Republican mayors and council members do try to hide their conservativism somewhat. Yet, this spring thirteen Cuyahoga County GOP mayors signed an endorsement letter for their State Senator Matt Dolan in his losing campaign for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. Don’t look for any of the sixteen Republican suburban mayors to endorse Democrat Nan Whaley for Governor this fall.
Even the most Republican communities in our county only top out at barely 60 percent GOP. That is difficult but competitive for a Democratic challenger. After all, the Republican mayors of Berea and Mayfield Heights achieved their offices in towns that are over 60 percent Democratic.
For the sake of our democracy, we need to bring our party into every cul-de-sac found in Cuyahoga County.
Written by Richard May on behalf of the Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus. Richard has over 20 years experience in fielding candidates when he was a leader in the disloyal opposition. His therapist says he is making progress.
