CLEVELAND — A new era in Cuyahoga County politics is set to begin.
Democrat Chris Ronayne, the former president of University Circle Inc., has defeated former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Lee Weingart, to become the next Cuyahoga County Executive.
"The new Cuyahoga is all about a partnership with our mayors and our communities, its about a partnership for a greater waterfront with Mayor Bibb, its about actually working together on workforce development," Ronayne told 3News' Bri Buckley after his victory. "People know now is our time and I think the county exec has an opportunity to be sort of a conductor of that orchestra."
Ronayne will succeed Armond Budish, who decided against going for a third term, instead "passing the torch to new leadership and fresh ideas."
Following the infamous Jimmy Dimora scandal, Cuyahoga County residents voted in 2009 to scrap the old commission for the current executive-council system. Ed FitzGerald served for one term as the first executive before Budish was elected in 2014.
Ronayne is no stranger to the political arena, having served as campaign manager, then planning director and chief of staff for Cleveland Mayor Jane L. Campbell in the early 2000s. In 2005, he became University Circle Inc.'s leader, helping the neighborhood become one of the nation's best art districts during his 16-year tenure.
"Cuyahoga County needs a fresh start and a chance to get back on track," Ronayne wrote on his campaign website. "Our County is falling behind similar regions throughout Ohio and the country as a whole: We have a soft economy, violent crime, a high tax burden, harmful racial disparities, stagnant incomes, and concentrated poverty. Our county government has not met the expectations of its residents, and it’s time for a change."
Weingart made headlines in 1995 when he was appointed as a Cuyahoga County Commissioner at the age of 28. Though he would go on to lose the next election, he took credit for "solv[ing] the county's financial challenges" and "[bringing] NFL football back to Cleveland," and has served as the head of his own lobbying firm since 2002.
Last month, Cuyahoga County Council announced it will put plans for a new jail on hold, waiting for a new county executive to be elected. So what are Ronayne's plans for a new correction center?
"The justice system needs to be fixed, and my first assignment is going to be look at the existing facility. Let's talk about how we can actually work on the strategies we’ve talked about, the diversion we need to get better on that. We need to make sure that we’re actually not overpopulating a place with a facility, that isn't good for human habitation so we’re going to maybe have to look at a new jail as well," Ronayne told Buckley.
Both candidates took aim during the campaign at the "corruption" and "scandals" that took place during Budish's administration. "Residents have lost faith in County government," Ronayne wrote. "They are sick and tired of reading headlines about corruption, missteps and dropped 911 calls, issues at DCFS, a sagging economy and entrenched poverty."
Weingart had asserted that Cuyahoga County has been "beset by scandals," pointing to the following as evidence:
- "Human tragedies like 12 deaths in the county jail since 2018."
- "Mismanagement of its computer system replacement program – at least four years late and $10 million over budget."
- "Indictments and convictions of Budish Administration cabinet officers."
- "An anemic response to COVID-19."
- "Less well known is the county’s irresponsible spending down of nearly $110 million of its rainy day fund, starving it of the resources for a robust response to COVID-19."
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