Cleveland City Councilman Basheer Jones joined the race for mayor Thursday, announcing his campaign to supporters from the steps of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.
Jones represents Ward 7, which includes Cleveland鈥檚 Hough, Asiatown and St. Clair-Superior neighborhoods. He first won election in 2017, defeating incumbent T.J. Dow and becoming city council鈥檚 first Muslim member.
At his campaign launch, Jones said he would work to improve safety, transparency and the administration鈥檚 relationship with both residents and local businesses.
鈥淚 love Cleveland so much. I love the people so much. And you don鈥檛 deserve what you鈥檝e been receiving,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 deserve leadership that has forgotten you and doesn鈥檛 listen to your voice. That鈥檚 the reason why Cleveland has continued to fail, because they鈥檝e forgotten the people.鈥�
The city has lost touch with its residents, Jones said. It needs strong, energetic leadership to make much-needed changes, he said. That includes addressing needs for new equipment among police, fire and emergency services, community policing initiatives and focusing on rehabilitation rather than incarceration for those experiencing substance abuse.
鈥淎s we emerge from the challenges of the past year, we have a very special opportunity to foster new ideas, new hope, new determination, new leadership, to create a city of our dreams,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淚 am clear that this task is not the task for one person. We must all commit to making this a better Cleveland.鈥�
Jones has garnered more than 5,000 signatures in support of his candidacy, he said. During his speech, he highlighted his experiences as a Cleveland native, particularly the time he spent living in homeless shelters during his childhood.
Jones wants to bring those connections to the community with him into his administration, he said.
鈥淵ou know me. They鈥檙e surprised, but you鈥檙e not surprised,鈥� Jones said to his gathered supporters. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not surprised about this work that we鈥檙e doing, because you鈥檝e known me since I was a child, and that鈥檚 why we鈥檙e still here.鈥�
In addition to Jones, the list of mayoral candidates now includes state Sen. Sandra Williams, Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley, former city councilman Zack Reed and Justin Bibb, a former RTA board member who now works for a civic technology nonprofit.
Four-term incumbent Mayor Frank Jackson announced Thursday evening he will not seek a fifth term.
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