Analysis tracks clout in Cuyahoga County plan

CLEVELAND (AP) — Republicans, Hispanics and blacks could gain more political clout if a proposal to restructure the way Ohio’s most- populous county is governed becomes reality, an analysis shows.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason and other local leaders have proposed eliminating the current political system in which three elected county commissioners oversee the governing of the county, which is home to Cleveland and dozens of suburbs.

Instead, voters would elect a county executive and 11 council members who would each represent districts of about 120,000 residents.

An analysis of Census and voting records by The Plain Dealer finds that a Democrat would most likely be elected as county executive.

The review also found that Republicans would likely win one and perhaps as many as three seats on the 11-member council.

Hispanic Democrats could have a chance at one seat and black Democrats could control much of the eastern half of the county, according to the newspaper’s analysis of Census data and records at Cleveland State University’s College of Urban Affairs, the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and the city of Cleveland.

White Democrats, who have the most to lose, hold solid power bases in two districts, the analysis found.

The proposal comes as federal investigators conduct a wide-ranging corruption probe of county government.

Last summer, the FBI raided the offices and homes of Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and Auditor Frank Russo. Both have denied wrongdoing and remain at their elected positions.

The National Association of County Officials says more counties across the country are abandoning elected commissioners as a form of government.

Counties usually make the shift during a transition such as sudden growth, a budget crisis or taxpayers demanding accountability of leaders, said Jacqueline Byers, the county association’s research director.

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and U.S. Reps. Dennis Kucinich and Marcia Fudge oppose the plan.

Some mayors do as well, fearing a county executive would have unchecked power. They point out the commissioners’ system is working in the rest of Ohio’s counties.