CLEVELAND — Justin Bibb has received the endorsement of another former Cleveland mayor in his bid for the job.
Jane Campbell, the city's first female mayor, announced her endorsement for Bibb on Thursday evening as the countdown to Cleveland's mayoral election in November continues.
The announcement was made during a meet and greet event in Cleveland's West Park neighborhood.
"I think it's time we pass the torch to the next generation," Campbell said of the 34-year-old Bibb. "I think that we can put the life of our city in Justin Bibb's hands."
Last month, Bibb received the endorsement of ex-Cleveland mayor Michael White, who believes that the political newcomer is "worthy and ready" to be elected to City Hall.
Campbell became Cleveland's first female mayor, defeating Raymond Pierce in 2001 after White decided not to run for another term. As Naymik pointed out in a tweet, Campbell's support eroded during the course of her four years in City Hall as she worked to straighten out Cleveland's budget deficit. She laid off 250 police officers and 700 city employees, damaging her support in the city's working-class neighborhoods.
One solution Campbell tried to put into place to revitalize the city's economy was the Adopt-a-Can program, calling on businesses and organizations to adopt 1,300 trash cans in Cleveland. It was hoped that the program would save the city millions, but was later dropped.
Campbell was defeated by Frank Jackson in her reelection bid in 2005. While Jackson went on to become a four-term mayor in Cleveland, Campbell spent time working in both the private and public sectors. She is currently the president and CEO of The United States Capitol Historical Society.
"I've done this job. It is the hardest job ever," Campbell said of being mayor of Cleveland. "Don't let anyone tell you it's easy. You need somebody who can listen, and listen to people to who don't agree all the time. That's the idea."
Bibb, a non-profit executive, was the top vote-getter in the Cleveland mayoral primary election earlier this month, capturing 27% of the vote to outpace his other six opponents. Bibb will face Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley in November's General Election for the right to replace the retiring Jackson as Cleveland's next mayor.
You can watch Campbell's endorsement announcement in the player below:
More on the race for Cleveland mayor: