Last year, during the several days it took to accept that America had elected a disgusting real estate tycoon turned reality TV star to the nation’s highest office, we at CityBeat did our best to summon a positive outlook. Perhaps Donald Trump would get caught up in something as trivial as aggrandizing his inauguration crowd size and then play so much golf casual observers would view him as the exaggerating hypocrite he’s always been. Eventually, even the most self-serving of Republicans would put country in front of party, reining in Trump and bringing about a semblance of civility the GOP couldn’t muster back when the president was black.
Still waiting on that to happen.
At least our local elections offer some hope for positive change. As Cincinnatians take to the polls Nov. 7, we are lucky to be choosing from among a bevy of competent, forward-thinking local politicians. You’ll find our picks for the mayor’s office, city council and state and local issues linked below. During an important year for Cincinnati Public Schools, we’ve also outlined all 13 candidates for four open school board seats here.
THE ELECTION ISSUE
CityBeat endorses Yvette Simpson for mayor.
CityBeat endorses Derek Bauman, Tamaya Dennard, Michelle Dillingham, Lesley Jones, Greg Landsman, David Mann, Chris Seelbach, P.G. Sittenfeld and Wendell Young for City Council.
CityBeat endorses NO on Issue 1, YES on 2, YES on 3, 4, 5 and 24.
Like most readers, we’ll never agree with every position of any elected official. But Cincinnati has been changing for the better for years, and many of the people we’re backing have been part of its resurgence, whether inside or out of government.
There is much work to do, to be sure, which is why we’ve outlined how each candidate’s record, platform and personal beliefs align with the causes CityBeat has championed for the past 23 years. Each in his or her own way has worked to make Cincinnati a more diverse, equitable and progressive city.
The leaders we choose next week have the opportunity to build on this momentum. They’ll shape the direction of Cincinnati in big ways over the next four years.
Choose wisely.
This article appears in Oct 25 – Nov 1, 2017.
