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Republican Jack Schron Emphasizes Experience in Bid for County Executive

Cuyahoga County Councilman Jack Schron is the only Republican running for county executive. (Nick Castele / ideastream)
Cuyahoga County Councilman Jack Schron is the only Republican running for county executive. (Nick Castele / ideastream)

Jack Schron is one of only three Republicans on Cuyahoga County Council. In a conversation with ideastream's Mike McIntyre, he offered few points of disagreement with the current county government.

He said he has supported county projects to build the convention center, Global Center for Health Innovation and a hotel -- all accomplished with taxpayer dollars.

"We are on the cusp of doing phenomenal things here in this county," Schron said. "We're at the risk I believe, without leadership that's' actually lead in an executive role, of actually going the wrong way. But the convention center was one of the key components to putting that together and making it happen."

But Schron did question current county executive Ed FitzGerald's plan to start $100 college funds for all kindergarteners. While he didn't say he'd end it, he said he'd give it a careful second look.

He also said he didn't support Gov. John Kasich's expansion of Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. But he said he'd ensure that MetroHealth Medical Center has the funds it needs to offer care as part of the program.

Schron is the CEO of Jergens, a company in Cleveland that manufactures machine parts. He said that experience distinguishes him from the Democrats in the race.

"Who's sold something? Who's actually moved products? Who's moved ideas, and objectives and goals?" he said.

And while he declined to criticize FitzGerald for launching a bid for for governor two years into the job, he said if he were elected, he'd seek a second term.

Democratic candidates for County Executive will have their debate next week.

Nick Castele was a senior reporter covering politics and government for Ideastream Public Media. He worked as a reporter for Ideastream from 2012-2022.