Delete WardDec 09, 2021
Councilman Blaine A. Griffin, President-Elect of the newest Cleveland City Council class, is excited to assume leadership as City Council President and will focus on doing the people’s work. Councilman Griffin, who represents Ward 6, was first elected in 2017 and was re-elected in 2021.
Before his election to City Council, he served the city for 11 years as Executive Director of the Community Relations Board.
“Cleveland’s future is bright, but we have many issues to overcome to make our city a thriving metropolis for our residents, businesses, and organizations,” President-Elect Griffin said.
The 134th Cleveland City Council members bring diverse experiences to the legislative branch. “Working collectively, the Council will make our city more modern, welcoming, and inclusive for all,” Councilman Griffin said. “It is a new day in Cleveland. In the coming weeks, you’ll hear more about Council’s agenda and plans to move Cleveland forward.”
The Council leadership team is “Cleveland to its core” and embodies the best of Cleveland, Councilman Griffin said. Ward 3 Councilman Kerry McCormack will serve as Majority Leader and Ward 14 Councilwoman Jasmin Santana will serve as Majority Whip.
Councilman McCormack has proudly represented Cleveland’s Ward 3 since 2016 and was re-elected to the seat in 2017 and 2021. Councilman McCormack is committed to improving the quality of life for Cleveland residents and is a member of the Greater Cleveland AIDS Funding Collaborative, and the Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services Advisory Board.
In discussing his leadership role, Councilman McCormack stated, “I am thrilled to be joining my colleagues Blaine Griffin and Jasmin Santana on Cleveland City Council’s leadership team. As Majority Leader, I look forward to working with all of my colleagues to create a strong, inclusive, and innovative City Council that represents our citizens and meets the mandate of change sent in the recent election. As the first out LGBTQ+ Majority Leader of Cleveland City Council, I will continue to advocate for the most inclusive and welcoming Cleveland possible.”
Councilwoman Jasmin Santana, who represents Ward 14, was first elected to Council in 2017 and was re-elected in 2021. When elected, she became the first Latina councilwoman in Cleveland’s history. Councilwoman Santana shared that she is “proud and excited to continue to serve the residents of Ward 14 as the Councilwoman and to serve our city as Council Majority Whip.
“I would like to thank Council President Griffin for appointing me to this role,” she added. “We have work to do to ensure that every Clevelander has access to healthy and safe communities along with high-quality educational and economic opportunities.”
President-Elect Griffin, Majority Leader-Elect McCormack, and Majority Whip-Elect Santana will join a collection of new and veteran council people. Council members-elect Deborah Gray (ward 4), Richard A. Starr (Ward 5), Stephanie Howse (Ward 7), Rebecca Maurer (Ward 12), and Kris Harsh (Ward 13) will join returning council members Joe Jones (Ward 1), Kevin Bishop (Ward 2), Michael Polensek (Ward 8), Kevin Conwell (Ward 9), Anthony Hairston (Ward 10), Brian Mooney (Ward 11), Jenny Spencer (Ward 15), Brian Kazy (Ward 16), and Charles Slife (Ward 17).
“Under my leadership, Council will work to make our neighborhoods stronger, ensure our community is safe and healthy, strengthen city services, improve educational opportunities, and bring jobs and economic development to our City,” Councilman Griffin said. “When the new City Council is sworn in at 7 pm on January 3, 2022, the body will be ready, day one.”