9 Dems endorsed for City Council but some tired of candidates who 'embarrass our city'

Just last month it seemed like Democratic Party endorsements for Cincinnati City Council would be a breeze.

Eight members of council were Democrats. There were two women seeking the ninth endorsement that a lot of people liked − Jaime Castle, a teacher who unsuccessfully ran against Republican Congressman Brad Wentrup and Anna Albi, a Madisonville Community Council member who works on behalf of sensible gun policy through Moms Demand Action.

Instead, the Cincinnati Democratic Committee meeting Tuesday night went down like a reality show that could rival any 'Housewives' reunion on Bravo. All that was missing was a Kardashian.

There was the dramatic last-minute city solicitor release of an investigation into Councilman Seth Walsh's ethical behavior that found mismanagement of his council office, but no wrong-doing. There was an anonymous letter written by somebody who was seemingly an insider questioning the endorsement process. There was a rumored bad endorsement interview by Castle that torpedoed her endorsement and left her at times sitting alone.

Julie Sellers, president of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, called for the vote to be held.

"I am tired of endorsing candidates who later embarrass our city," Sellers said.

Finally, there was the vote for the slate of nine that included Walsh and was so close it needed a second count. The slate − which included current members Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, Victoria Parks, Reggie Harris, Scotty Johnson, Meeka Owens, Mark Jeffreys, Jeff Cramerding and Albi − garnered 30 yes votes, 26 no votes and four abstentions. A lawyer had to be consulted because it was unclear how to count the abstentions, which in the end were not counted.

Mayor Aftab Pureval was present but didn't have a vote. His chief of staff, Keizayla Fambro, was one of the abstentions.

Walsh was caught up in a scandal last month that resulted in the city paying a $30,000 settlement to a City Hall staffer he fired after he found a memo she had written outlining grievances about him and his campaign staff. City officials said they settled to avoid litigation.

Walsh apologized to the group when it was his turn to speak.

"I'd like to apologize to the Democratic Party for the distraction I have caused," Walsh said. He added there has been a learning curve.

The no votes were clearly aimed at Walsh. Party members wanted to read the report themselves before voting or flat out said Walsh shouldn't be included on the slate as City Hall tries to move past the corruption that led to three former members being indicted on federal corruption charges in 2020. One pleaded guilty, another was found guilty by a jury and is awaiting sentencing the third has agreed to plead guilty.

Brent Edwards, a precinct executive from Madisonville, stood and asked Walsh if he would repay the $30,000. Walsh countered the report had found no wrong-doing, but did not directly answer the question. The city settled with his staff member without Walsh's input. He told The Enquirer the staffer was fired for poor performance, not in retaliation.

Antonio Sanders, 19, of Evanston, stood and publicly said Walsh "was wrong" and "needs to be held accountable."

"This is a Seth issue," Sanders told The Enquirer later. "We as a party needed to address that. We needed to endorse individually."

Former Hamilton County Party Chairman Tim Burke, an attorney himself who works with the attorney Walsh hired to represent him during the investigation, defended Walsh saying, "Was it handled the best it could be? No." But he said Walsh's expertise in housing should overshadow mistakes he made when starting out on council last December.

Renita Jones-Street, an American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union leader, who represents city workers like nurses, garbage collectors and the employees who keep the water clean, stood and said she supported the entire slate because they support the workers who make the city run.

The slate of candidates will start campaigning this summer. The election is in November, but the Cincinnati Democratic Committee, which is made up of precinct executives, sought to endorse early so candidates could campaign together. Candidates needed 500 verified signatures before the weekend and candidate interviews with a smaller endorsement committee were on Saturday.

The slate has proven powerful in past elections.

Castle told reporters she might not run now but still supports the party.

Republican-endorsed Councilwoman Liz Keating is running for council. She is the lone Republican who has officially announced a campaign.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Democrats endorse 9 candidates for Cincinnati City Council