Sam Allard / Scene
Jeff Johnson talks with supporters at his Glenville HQ after placing third in the Cleveland mayoral primary, (9/12/17).
In a statement, Johnson said that he would work to provide increased funding for local municipalities.
“Our state government must stop undermining local governments, taking away valuable resources and ignoring the challenges local officials and citizens have to fight each day,” Johnson said. “I want to go to the State Senate and fight for Northeast Ohio and local municipalities across the state.”
Sandra Williams, who recently ran for the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Chair, said she’d been told she could expect a primary challenger after she defied the establishment by taking on Shontel “Not a Puppet” Brown. Williams ultimately lost in the county party race, despite a plea from outgoing Chair Stu Garson for members to vote for either Williams or Newburgh Heights Mayor Trevor Elkins instead of Brown.
“Of course, it could be because Jeff [Johnson] is unemployed and needs somewhere to go," Williams told Cleveland.com, assessing her challenger.
For his part, Johnson said he has already secured the endorsement of Congresswoman Marcia Fudge and new City Councilman Anthony Hairston, who has replaced Johnson in Cleveland’s Ward 10.
