Office of Sherrod Brown
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a resident of Cleveland's Mill Creek development in Ward 2, has endorsed nonprofit executive Justin Bibb in the 2021 mayoral race.
“We have so much potential in our beloved city, and we need leaders who will get to work for our greatest asset, our people –that's why I'm proud to endorse Justin Bibb as the next mayor of Cleveland," Brown said in a press release provided by the Bibb campaign. "I see a bright future with Justin Bibb as mayor."
In a social media post, Brown said he was proud to call Bibb a #CanaryCandidate, a reference to a slate of young pro-labor, pro-choice candidates that Brown has endorsed. (The canary is a reference to his lapel pin, which Brown received from a coal miner and is meant to symbolize his pro-labor stance.)
“Justin is a living example of what the Dignity of Work can do for someone from Mt. Pleasant with two hard-working parents. As mayor, he will fight every day to make sure every Clevelander has that same opportunity," Brown said. "Justin has the unique experience, the character, and the courage to deliver results. He loves our city and he will fight for the people who make it work,” he added.
In recent weeks, Bibb has received the endorsement of both SEIU 1199 (service workers) and SEIU Local 1 (janitors), and the local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union. He continued to build labor support with an endorsement Monday from Workers United Local 10, the Midwest regional chapter of the union representing lower-wage workers.
Bibb's opponent, Kevin Kelley, has locked up much of the construction unions, with support from the Building and Construction Trades Council, the Black Contractors Group and the local pipefitters, plumbers and carpenters chapters. Kelley also has the support of the local Firefighters Union.
Bibb, the son of a police officer, said he was honored to accept Sen. Brown's endorsement and said he would continue to champion the rights of every worker "to a life of dignity and opportunity."
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