A gubernatorial candidate and her running mate have formed a coalition of more than 40 Ohio mayors who are supporting their bid for governor and lieutenant governor.
“Today [Cheryl Stevens] & I are proud to announce a new coalition supporting our #OHGov campaign – Mayors for Whaley-Stephens! As two former mayors, Cheryl and I can’t wait to work with local leaders across Ohio to ensure each community has its own chance at economic success,” former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley announced on Twitter.
Today @CherylForOhio & I are proud to announce a new coalition supporting our #OHGov campaign –
Mayors for Whaley-Stephens!
As two former mayors, Cheryl and I can’t wait to work with local leaders across Ohio to ensure each community has its own chance at economic success. pic.twitter.com/lp88H0rxME
— Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) April 26, 2022
Stevens, her running mate, was formerly the mayor of Cleveland Heights.
There are some prominent names on Whaley’s list of mayoral endorsees, including Mayor Andrew Ginther (D) of Columbus, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz (D), and former Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson (D).
Jackson was a political powerhouse in Ohio’s second-largest city, serving 16 years as the city’s highest-ranking official. He retired earlier this year.
Other prominent mayors to endorse Whaley include Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher (D), Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown (D), Canton Mayor Tom Bernabei (D), and Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims Jr. (D), who succeeded Whaley in that position.
Most recently, Whaley was endorsed by Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith (D).
“I believe in Nan. I believe in her platform to help working families. She’s talked about how under her leadership, our wages will go up, and our bills will go down,” Smith said. “Nan is also a former mayor, and no one knows better the issues facing our local families. She’s a hard worker. Her boots have been on the ground. She sees firsthand what’s happening with our families, and I believe Nan is the one for us – to go to Columbus and fight for us.”
The tidal wave of mayoral support is unsurprising, given that most urban areas in Ohio are led by Democrats. Still, it is a positive sign for Whaley’s campaign. She is currently battling in a primary race with former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley (D), and appears to have more support among those who have also served in that position in their respective cities.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Ohio State House” by Sixflashphoto. CC BY-SA 4.0.
Supported by Dems? NOPE, You people do not want them in office.