Lakewood's mayor, Ed FitzGerald, has announced he's running to be the first Cuyahoga County executive.FitzGerald is the first Democrat to officially declare he's in the race, though more are sure to come. On the Republican side, state Rep. Matt Dolan (son of the Indians owner) told Lake County's News-Herald he intends to run a mere four days after Issue 6 passed.
FitzGerald has been mayor of Cleveland's second-largest suburb for two years and a Lakewood councilman before that. He's also a former FBI agent, a bit of biography that should help him run as a reform candidate eager to clean house in the wake of the Dimora-Russo investigation. In a mailing to county Democrats announcing his candidacy, he promises to "root out the corruption once and for all." He also talks up economic development, the top goal in the new county charter.
FitzGerald opposed Issue 6, which created the future government he wants to lead. He stumped for the rival Issue 5 on the debate circuit this fall. That means he'll have stiff competition for the role of reformer-candidate. Some Issue 6 supporters want to use the 5 vs. 6 debate as a litmus test for the county executive job and support only a candidate from their camp.
You can read more on FitzGerald's campaign website and on Ohio Daily Blog, where (as far as I can tell) Anthony Fossaceca broke the news of FitzGerald's campaign announcement yesterday.
No, no, no! This is the worst news I've heard since the Doobie Brothers broke up. Ed can't leave Lakewood. We need him like peanut butter needs jelly. He's supposed to be all ours! This isn't right. It isn't fair.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye Ed, and don't let the Section8 door hit you in the behind. Please take Antonio, Bullock, and O'brian with you.
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