CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Coming down the home stretch for the city’s mayoral run-off election, many expect a close race between the two finalists.
But as of last week, Council Vice President Davida Russell had amassed a war chest more than double that of her opponent, Jim Petras, based on unofficial campaign finance reports filed with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.
Petras and Russell advanced in the primary from a field of five candidates on Sept. 9, the same day former mayor Kahlil Seren was recalled by voters.
The latest unaudited filings showed the Russell campaign with nearly $95,000 available in total funds — over $55,000 of that already spent.
That left a “balance on hand” of nearly $39,500 going into the final full week before the Nov. 4 general election.
Meanwhile, Petras listed close to $52,000 in total funds available, with over $40,300 spent by the Oct. 23 filing date, leaving a “balance on hand” of about $11,500.
Petras also listed $10,000 of his total in outstanding loans owed by his committee. compared with the Russell campaign showing loans totaling $1,125.
The biggest disparity appeared to be larger contributions to Russell, a longtime local labor leader, from union political action committees (PAC’s), most if not all based in Columbus.
These included at least $17,500 from the Ohio Association of Public School Employees organization “OAPSE Making a Difference.”
In their Aug. 25 campaign finance filing with the county, Russell campaign treasurer Reuben Turner listed a previous $15,000 contribution from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
The latest list of contributions included $5,000 apiece from the American Federation State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) as well as a non-union organization called “Realtors Political Action,” also based in Columbus.
As a bus driver and a substitute teacher in the South Euclid-Lyndhurst school district, Russell points out that she’s “uniquely qualified” as a blue-collar worker, an educator and a labor leader and member of City Council since 2019.
Petras, serving his first term on council, works as a project director with Bellflower Consulting in the I.T. department for Case Western Reserve University.
His campaign contributions are mostly confined to Cleveland Heights, through the “ActBlue” automated system and generally not exceeding $1,000.
Two exceptions were checks totaling $12,500 from one Fairmount Boulevard resident and a combined $4,500 from a neighbor.
Back on the issues, both candidates have been cordial on the campaign trail as well as in council chambers, where some public comments have included pointed questions about what they would do if elected mayor.
They responded to some of those issues and also polished their respective platforms at last month’s forum hosted by the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters (LWV), with over 530 views to date.
With a $115,000 annual salary, the mayor also serves as the city’s public safety director.
Both candidates pledged to ensure accountability in the police department, with strong emphasis on de-escalation techniques and mental health crisis training.
Given the city’s motto of “All are Welcome” and in light of “racial profiling” detention tactics by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, they were asked if they would support the city kicking in for attorney fees to defend residents detained by the feds.
Petras said he’s inclined to support a proposal from Cleveland Heights for Immigrant Rights and would also consider further codifying the city’s involvement to strengthen what may just be policy at this point.
Before proceeding, Russell wants to make sure it’s legal to use public funds to pay private immigration attorneys, along with allowing further community input on the issue.
Both promised constructive and collaborative relationship with City Council and promised strict adherence to Ohio’s open meetings or “Sunshine” law.
Russell noted that the executive and legislative arms are two separate but equal branches of government.
While additional training may be warranted, Russell said she would also “trust council to do the right thing, without the administration constantly trying to oversee what council is doing.“
Petras said the Ohio Attorney General’s office has training available on the Sunshine law, but much of it is geared toward law departments on fulfilling public records requests.
“It may be helpful to pass a requirement for council training as well — two hours a year or one hour every six months to keep council mindful of the different rules,” Petras said.
Over the course of the campaign, Petras has talked a lot about “the basics,” such as safe, well-maintained streets, timely snow removal, parks and pools that families can be proud of.
“But I’ve also shared a vision — a city where young families are moving in, where neighborhoods are cared for, where absentee landlords are held accountable and where vacant parcels are filled with new homes,” Petras added.
He wants to work toward business districts alive with public art and thriving storefronts, including great places to gather in a modern community center.
“People love this city, but they’re frustrated when the basics don’t get done,” Petras said. “They don’t want excuses, they want results and that’s exactly what I’m committed to delivering.”
As a 50-year resident whose family moved in to escape racism in Cleveland’s Collinwood neighborhood, Russell stuck around to raise her own children in the Heights.
“Understanding what this city used to be, I know its heart,” Russell said. “To see what Cleveland Heights is today, I feel it — what you are looking for is the same thing I’m looking for as a resident.”
It all adds up to “great services, a beautification of our city, infrastructure, togetherness and unity in our community where we stop the hate and the violence, where we come together as one community,” Russell said.
She also wants to bring in new families, “building a unique destination city, a winning suburb that everyone looks to and comes to, one that thrives in Cleveland.
“We need to come together, to heal and move our city forward in a unique way,” Russell added.
Read more from the Sun Press.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
