CLEVELAND — Editor's Note: The above video features previous reporting on the Cleveland mayoral race
Influential Cleveland Councilman Blaine Griffin endorsed Kevin Kelley for mayor on Thursday.
Griffin’s ward includes all or parts of the following neighborhoods: Fairfax, Larchmere, Little Italy, Woodland Hills, Buckeye-Shaker, University Circle, North Broadway, Slavic Village and Union-Miles.
Citing Kelley’s knowledge of city government, the community and ability to build coalitions, Griffin said the council president has earned his support.
The two have been longtime allies on council, working together on key issues inside and outside of City Hall (Both also have worked closely on internal Democratic Party politics.) Griffin is well respected in political circles across the city.
Griffin has also been part of the coalition of council members that has kept Kelley in the council president seat.
But Griffin, who has considered a bid for mayor himself, did not formally back Kelley in the primary.
Griffin, who is Black, was somewhat worried about the optics of backing a White candidate with four Black candidates in the race, people close to Kelley and Griffin have told 3News.
Many faith leaders in the Black community and others backed Black candidates in the primary.
Kelley, however, had broad support from labor and other leaders, including Mayor Frank Jackson, who is Black.
Newcomer Justin Bibb, who is Black, faired better on the city’s east side than Kelley while showing strong support on the city's predominately White west side. Bibb won 27 percent of the vote citywide compared to Kelley’s 19 percent.
Kelley’s campaign is also likely to press councilman Zack Reed for an endorsement. Reed finished fourth in Tuesday’s primary with strong support on the city’s East Side. It's common for winning candidates to quickly reach out to losing candidates for their support.
During an August interview with 3News, Sara Shookman asked Kelley who he’d pick as his second choice. Kelley said he’d write in Griffin.
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