Brad Cromes quitting as Portage County treasurer for same post in Cuyahoga County
After eight years as Portage County treasurer, Brad Cromes is resigning to take a job as county treasurer in Cuyahoga County.
Cromes made the announcement on his Facebook page Tuesday morning. He said his resignation, which is pending confirmation of his new position by Cuyahoga County Council, would be effective Nov. 1.
"This is not a decision I arrived at easily, but I believe ultimately it is the right one for this community, for my family, and for me," Cromes stated. "My sincerest thanks for your trust, and for the privilege of being your treasurer. I look forward to ending my tenure in the same spirit as it began, and to what’s next for all of us."
The Democratic Central Committee will appoint a replacement for Cromes.
Party Chairwoman Denise Smith said the Democratic Central Committee will meet to make the appointment between five and 45 days after the position becomes vacant. Interested applicants can send letters of interest to Smith but cannot do so until the position is officially declared vacant, Smith said. The only requirements for the position outlined in the Ohio Revised Code is that applicants be registered voters living in Portage County.
The appointed treasurer will serve until Cromes' term ends in December 2024.
Cromes, a former leader in the party, said he has been in touch with party leadership to ensure that the process of choosing his successor "moves forward smoothly, and that my successor is given the best possible opportunity to deliver the sort of service you deserve and expect."
Appointed by the Portage County Democratic Party to fill the unexpired term of former Treasurer and Commissioner Vicki Kline in February 2015, Cromes previously served Portage County as deputy director of the Board of Elections. He was elected treasurer in 2016 and again in 2020.
In 2022, he ran unsuccessfully to succeed longtime County Auditor Janet Esposito, losing the race to Republican Matt Kelly.
Cromes said his friends saw the position and encouraged him to apply. He said it would be a good opportunity to help people. He will be reporting to Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, who he has always regarded as a strong leader, and Fiscal Officer Michael Chambers. Cromes said he is "excited at the opportunity to make a positive impact."
While Cromes is not required to live in Cuyahoga County to take the position, he said he is considering relocating to have some "skin in the game." He and his wife, Lindsey, live in Ravenna, where his wife has a veterinary practice. The couple have two sons.
Cromes said during his tenure as treasurer he "pledged to be an innovative, transparent steward of your tax dollars." During his tenure, he said, he worked to revamp the treasurer's website, created alternative payment methods for paying county taxes during the COVID-19 pandemic, initiated a low interest loan program, and developed the Portage County Financial Wellness Fair, a program that was recognized by the Ohio Treasurer of State for guiding residents toward financial empowerment.
"I believe strongly that public service is a calling, and that those of us fortunate enough to do it have a responsibility to, as John Wesley famously said, do as much good as we can, by all the means we can, for all the people we can, as long as ever we can," Cromes stated.
Reporter Diane Smith, who is not related to the party chairwoman, can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Brad Cromes quits as Portage treasurer to serve same role in Cuyahoga
