Latest news with #ChristopherSmitherman
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Cincinnati Vice Mayor Smitherman jumps into crowded City Council race
Former Cincinnati City Councilman and Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman wants back on City Council. Smitherman, of North Avondale, said in an Aug. 12 post on the social media site X that he's running for Cincinnati City Council. Smitherman joins a crowded field for the nine council seats. As of Aug. 12, 24 candidates have submitted petitions to run for Cincinnati City Council, including eight of the nine incumbent Democratic candidates. The deadline to file to run is Aug. 21. Smitherman has pulled petitions but hadn't filed them as of Aug. 11, according to the Hamilton County Board of Elections. "With a sense of duty and humility, I announce my candidacy for Cincinnati City Council," Smitherman wrote on X. "We need experience and common sense at City Hall. If elected, I will act to reduce crime and support our police, listen to residents on development issues and make sure tax dollars are spent on essentials." Will he run as an independent or Republican? The announcement comes a week after Smitherman cohosted a town hall at a restaurant in the Riverside neighborhood with Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Smitherman in the past ran as an independent. Smitherman didn't return a message seeking comment, so it wasn't clear whether he'd remain an independent or run as a Republican. The Hamilton County Republican Party issued a statement saying the GOP welcomes Smitherman into the race and hopes he will consider running as a Republican. "Local elections matter, and voters deserve a clear choice," Hamilton County Republican Chairman Russell Mock said in a statement. "We encourage all Cincinnatians who share our priorities – safer streets, responsible budgeting and a government that works for the people – to support candidates who stand for those principles." Can Smitherman beat the Democrats? While Cincinnati City Council races are officially nonpartisan, party politics play a big role. All nine City Council members and the mayor are Democrats. In a city where Democrats outvote Republicans 3-to-1, the Democratic endorsement has become increasingly important. In 2017, six of the nine candidates endorsed by the Democrats won. In 2021, eight of the nine candidates on the slate won election. Two years later, all nine won election. In addition to the nine endorsed Democrats, there are also five candidates endorsed by the Cincinnati Charter Committee, a group formed in the 1920s to address corruption at City Hall. Republicans plan on endorsing a slate of council candidates after the Aug. 21 deadline to file for council. Who is Smitherman? Smitherman is a well-known political veteran. He won his first election to Cincinnati City Council in 2003, running as a Charterite and serving a two-year term. He became president of the local chapter of the NAACP in 2007, a post he held until 2014. He returned to Cincinnati City Council as an independent in 2011 and served there until 2022. He ran unsuccessfully in 2022 as independent for Hamilton County Board of Commissioners. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Vice Mayor and Councilman Smitherman announces council run Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ramaswamy has chosen Jim & Jack's for his town hall
People have flocked to Jim & Jack's On the River to dance and dine on its famous cod sandwich. In August the restaurant and bar in Cincinnati's Riverside neighborhood is hosting an Elvis impersonator and a variety of other entertainment acts, based on its schedule. On Aug. 4 at 5:30 p.m., the longtime West Side restaurant will host a more serious matter. Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has chosen Jim & Jack's for his upcoming town hall to address crime concerns after a street fight captured on Cincinnati's Downtown streets went viral. Why Jim & Jack's? Jim & Jack's regular Christopher Smitherman, a former Cincinnati city councilman, reached out to the restaurant to host the event, said co-owner Karen Jim. The restaurant is large enough and just outside of Downtown Cincinnati, she said. Jim & Jack's has become a gathering spot for both Democrats and Republicans, she said. "We've done different fundraising events, meet and greets for political positions," Jim said. "We've hosted candidates from both sides." Officials, crime victims invited Ramaswamy's town will "reflect on recent events & discuss how to improve in the future," he posted on the Facebook announcement of the event. Ramaswamy, who grew up in the Cincinnati suburb of Evendale and graduated from St. Xavier High School, is holding the town hall as concerns and outrage grow over the street fight that took place in the early morning hours of July 26. The controversy was spurred by commentary from Cincinnati Republican mayoral candidate Cory Bowman, Elon Musk and prominent social media accounts like Libs of TikTok. Ramaswamy posted on X on July 30 that he plans to host a town hall with former Cincinnati Vice Mayor Chris Smitherman. "We plan to invite city officials, community leaders, and any of the victims from Friday's assault who wish to participate. When people feel afraid to speak their minds, that's when frustration festers & we can't let that happen," Ramaswamy said in the post. How to attend Ramaswamy town hall in Cincinnati The event will be livestreamed, Ramaswamy said. To RSVP, click here. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Where is Ramaswamy's town hall on Aug. 4? Solve the daily Crossword
