After saving up its money for four years, a progressive political action committee is getting ready to back candidates for Cleveland City Council races.
A Better Cleveland for All pitches itself as standing for “public investments for us – streets, not special interests.” It started this year with more than $25,700 on hand. That’s not a fortune. But it is enough to give a few candidates a boost in the 2025 contests on Cleveland’s redrawn political map, according to treasurer Patrick Murray.
“I think we can be a significant help to four or five or maybe even six candidates with the money we have,” he said. “We’re probably not going to give all the money away at the beginning. Probably want to see how the campaigns develop and who the competition is.”
Four years ago, the PAC endorsed seven candidates in the general election. Three won: Rebecca Maurer, then-state Rep. Stephanie Howse and incumbent Council Member Jenny Spencer.
This time, there’s a new, 15-ward playing field, including two open seats on the West Side. Candidates are already jumping into the races. A Better Cleveland for All is sending questionnaires to contenders as it weighs whom to endorse.
The PAC doesn’t just want to know about the candidates’ views. It wants to know their plans for coming out on top.
“We’re not real enthusiastic about supporting people who have slim to no chance of winning,” Murray said.
The PAC is also looking to shake up city government. On its website, it advocates for reversing council’s decision to raise campaign contribution limits. Two planks include starting a participatory budgeting program and drawing up a new redistricting process. Another plank takes direct aim at the council presidency: term limits for council’s top job.
Council President Blaine Griffin has substantially more resources to work with this election season. At last check, the Council Leadership Fund — his PAC for helping incumbents — reported a balance of $196,000.
Local Republicans talk Trump
Northeast Ohio Republican leaders sized up President Donald Trump’s first 50 days back in office at a City Club of Cleveland forum Friday.
I moderated the discussion. It drew an anti-Trump protest outside and featured a lively but respectful back-and-forth between panelists and audience during the traditional question-and-answer session.
Ohio swung even further toward Trump last year. Republicans have even gained some ground in heavily Democratic Cleveland in the Trump era.
One Republican panelist garnered some applause from the Democratic contingent in the room when he made the case for supporting Ukraine against Russian invasion. Greater Cleveland is home to many with Ukrainian heritage, and the protesters outside the building waved the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag.
You can watch the whole conversation here, courtesy of Ideastream Public Media.
