CLEVELAND — Warrensville Heights Mayor Brad Sellers, who joined the race for Cuyahoga County executive last week, has dropped out.
His decision follows scrutiny of delinquent taxes only recently paid and a tax abatement deal he received from Warrensville as mayor.
Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reported this week that Sellers applied for and certified a 15-year, 100% tax abatement on his own home. Cleveland.com also reported that Sellers claimed on paperwork that he did not owe delinquent taxes, which is necessary to qualify for the deal. But Sellers was in arrears on his property taxes at the time.
Sellers unpaid taxes were also the subject of attention from Fox 8’ I-Team, which first reported on his unpaid taxes.
When he formally announced his bid last Wednesday, he said his experience as mayor and as the city’s former economic development director qualified him for the job of county executive. County Executive Armond Budish, a Democrat, announced last year he did not plan to seek a third term.
“I entered the race for Cuyahoga County Executive on January 5, 2022. Recent reports have now become a distraction in this race, so today I am announcing I am withdrawing my candidacy for the position of Cuyahoga County Executive," Sellers said in a statement Saturday morning.
Former University Circle Inc. leader Chris Ronayne is running for the Democratic nomination. Former Cuyahoga County Commissioner and businessman Lee Weingart is seeking the Republican nomination.
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