Northeast Ohio Primary Elections Deliver Historic Recall and Set November Battles

Cleveland Heights voters oust mayor while incumbents dominate council races across region

Cleveland Heights voters overwhelmingly recalled Mayor Kahlil Seren yesterday while six Cuyahoga County communities set their November election matchups in primary elections. The historic recall passed with 82% support, making Seren the first elected mayor recalled in the city’s history.

A total of 20,654 ballots were cast across 191 of 192 precincts in the six participating communities.

MAJOR RECALL

Cleveland Heights Mayor Recalled Cleveland Heights residents voted decisively to recall Mayor Kahlil Seren, with 6,829 voters (82.21%) supporting his removal from office and 1,478 (17.79%) opposing the recall. City Council President Tony Cuda will serve as interim mayor once results are certified until the new mayor takes office January 1.

In the mayoral primary, Councilman Jim Petras finished first with 2,390 votes (28.43%) — just 41 votes ahead of Council Vice President Davida Russell who received 2,349 votes (27.94%). The razor-thin margin sets up a competitive November showdown between the two council members.

University Heights Chief of Staff Deanna Bremer Fisher placed third with 1,692 votes (20.13%), followed by attorney Laura Kingsley Hong with 1,469 votes (17.48%) and former South Euclid City Councilman Marty Gelfand with 506 votes (6.02%).

MAYORAL PRIMARIES

East Cleveland Former interim mayor Sandra Morgan dominated the primary with 957 votes (77.93%), easily defeating current Mayor Lateek Shabazz who received 182 votes (14.82%). The decisive victory sets up a November rematch between Morgan and Shabazz after a turbulent year that saw three different people hold the mayor’s office following Brandon King’s corruption conviction.

Sean L. Ward finished third with 55 votes (4.48%), while Juanita Gowdy and Vidah Aminah Saeed each received 17 votes (1.38%).

Garfield Heights Incumbent Mayor Matt Burke secured his spot in November’s general election with 1,141 votes (63.00%). James S. Feeney advanced as the challenger with 497 votes (27.44%), eliminating Cathy Mack who received 173 votes (9.55%).

CLEVELAND CITY COUNCIL RESULTS

Cleveland incumbents largely held their ground in the city’s first election using 15 newly drawn wards, down from 17 due to population decline.

Ward 1: Joe Jones survived despite facing a potential censure vote over staff misconduct allegations, winning 1,070 votes (60.42%) to advance alongside Ohio Rep. Juanita Brent who captured 537 votes (30.32%). Lesa Jones Dollar received 69 votes (3.90%), Marc Crosby got 48 votes (2.71%), and Aylwin Bridges earned 47 votes (2.65%).

Ward 3: Deborah Gray cruised to victory with 654 votes (72.99%), while Erich Stubbs received 129 votes (14.40%) and Sharon Spruill got 113 votes (12.61%).

Ward 5: In a battle between two incumbents forced into the same ward, Richard Starr decisively defeated fellow councilmember Rebecca Maurer 627 votes (69.44%) to 229 votes (25.36%). Beverly Owens-Jackson was eliminated with 47 votes (5.20%).

Ward 7: In the open seat race, attorneys Austin Davis won 950 votes (55.85%) and Mohammad Faraj captured 564 votes (33.16%) to advance. Mike Rogalski was eliminated with 187 votes (10.99%).

Ward 8: Stephanie Howse-Jones commanded 562 votes (62.58%), with Charlotte Perkins finishing second with 172 votes (19.15%). Teri Ying-Liang Wang received 145 votes (16.15%) and Leon Meredith got 12 votes (1.34%).

Ward 9: Kevin Conwell continued his streak of dominant performances with 938 votes (77.07%). Alana Belle advanced with 218 votes (17.91%), while Tony Evans Jr. was eliminated with 61 votes (5.01%).

Ward 12: Danny Kelly led with 669 votes (49.23%) but fell short of 50%. Tanmay Shah secured the second spot with 422 votes (31.05%), eliminating Andrew DeFratis who received 268 votes (19.72%).

OTHER RACES

Maple Heights Council District 7 Incumbent Edwina Agee dominated with 163 votes (65.20%) to secure her spot in November. Travian Atkins advanced as her challenger with 67 votes (26.80%), eliminating Samantha Scales who received 20 votes (8.00%).

LOCAL ISSUES

Cleveland Ward 7 Liquor Sales Voters approved allowing SoHo Chicken + Whiskey to sell alcohol on Sundays, with 87 votes (82.08%) in favor and 19 votes (17.92%) opposed.

Lakewood Liquor Sales Residents overwhelmingly approved Sunday alcohol sales for Rood Food and Pie, with 75 votes (87.21%) in favor and 11 votes (12.79%) opposed.

All races were nonpartisan with the top two vote-getters advancing to the November 4 general election. Results remain unofficial pending final certification by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.