Cleveland Heights mayoral race includes new challengers

Cleveland Heights has its first challengers in the city's second-ever mayoral race. Current City Councilman Jim Petras and former South Euclid City Councilman Marty Gelfand have filed paperwork to run against Mayor Kahlil Seren in the September primary election. Both candidates registered their treasurers with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in recent weeks. Mayor Seren has not yet confirmed if he will seek re-election. He became the city’s first directly elected mayor in 2021 after voters changed the city charter in 2019 to allow for an elected mayor. Previously, the city was managed by a council that selected its own leadership. Recently, the city has faced challenges. Former Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan resigned as city administrator after just over two months in the role. This resignation marks the third departure of a city administrator under Seren’s leadership. Additionally, the City Council passed a comprehensive budget for 2025 after relying on a temporary budget for much of the quarter. The budget process was complicated by the resignation of the acting budget director during hearings. Candidates have until June 11 to file petitions to run. The mayoral primary will take place on September 9, and the top two candidates will move on to the general election on November 4. Petras, age 35, has been in elected office for just over a year and currently chairs the Building and Housing Committee. Gelfand, age 65, has a legal background and previously served on the South Euclid City Council. Each candidate brings different experiences to their campaigns as they aim for the mayor's office.