STATEMENT ON ELECTION RESULTS

Like all Democrats, I am heartbroken by Tuesday’s election results. Cuyahoga County was not immune to the rightward shift in the country, to the flood of horrific lies, nor by the failure of the media, national and local, to perpetuate those lies. The countrywide decrease in turnout also didn’t skip our county. 

Congratulations goes out to our candidates, especially those who won their seat for the first time. I am so proud of them all, including those who came up short. At this point it seems like Robert Schleper’s determined efforts may yield a Democratic flip on County Council, but we’ll know for sure when all the votes are counted. Overcoming money, name recognition, and incumbency is never an easy task.

Our Sample Ballot was sent to nearly 1.4 million people, some of them multiple times, via mail, text, canvassing, in-person on Election Day and at the Board of Elections, and via digital ads. But, like so much else, this program will also need to be reviewed. 

Prior to that, we engaged in voter outreach throughout the summer by postcard, canvassing, and text, to hundreds of thousands with pro-Democratic themes. Much of that work was slated to begin last year until we had to stop to preserve democracy and defeat Issue 1 in August of 2023. 

There is a great deal of work to be done and the best way to illustrate this is by pointing to our county’s two biggest cities: Cleveland and Parma. In Cleveland, the fight to reverse a decades-long decrease in presidential turnout continues. This is especially disappointing given that 2023 saw an increase in off-year election turnout. While in Parma, the once dyed in the wool Democratic city has continued shifting rightward despite the work of so many in that city and within the party. 

Mostly I thank our volunteers, many of whom had never been involved in party politics. I wish I could quantify their efforts better but suffice it to say their work made a difference and I hope Tuesday’s results inspire us all to do more. 

Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to Sherrod Brown. 

There is a saying that while victory has a hundred fathers, defeat is an orphan. As the head of the county Democratic Party, I know uncomfortable conversations will need to be held; uncomfortable for me and uncomfortable for others. These conversations and analysis will be critical to building plans to win moving forward. Until then, thank you Democrats.  

David Brock

Chair

Cuyahoga County Democratic Party

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