For more than a decade, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was the star of her district’s Labor Day parade. With her untimely death last month, her predecessor Louis Stokes took on the grand marshal duties, as many donned T-shirts and buttons with Stephanie’s picture. But while Tubbs Jones was on the minds of parade goers, this was still a festive and political event.
As is tradition, the parade culminated in Luke Easter Park for the introduction of local politicians and candidates for office. Democratic leaders expect to soon name a replacement for Tubbs Jones on the November ballot.
Warrensville Heights mayor Marcia Fudge has announced that she would like to be Tubbs Jones’ successor. Other prominent names being considered include former state senator C.J. Prentiss, and Rev. Marvin McMickle of Antioch Baptist Church.
Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones, another name popping up on lists of possible successors, says he’s still not sure if he wants to go for it.
JONES: At this juncture, I’m not convinced I could do more as a member of congress than I could remaining a member of the board of county commissioners.
Jones says there’s a lot going on at the local level that needs attention – such as a 500 million dollar convention center project that still isn’t off the ground, and an FBI probe into two other prominent county officials.
JONES: Obviously between the federal investigations, the majors projects that we have, leadership is needed at the county level more than ever before.
If he were to run, Jones could not be replaced on the ballot for county commissioner, making it easier, he says, for his republican opponent Debbie Sutherland to win. Jones says he’ll make a final decision in the next two days.
Another possible successor is State Senator Shirley Smith. She was a close friend of Tubbs Jones, but remains noncommittal about running.
SMITH: Being a state senator, of course it would cross my mind, but I think the next step is for us as a black community—meaning the black leaders—to get together and take care of the next steps.
While county democrats are expected to choose a candidate in the coming weeks, there could be a primary if challengers collect enough petition signatures.
But even as Democratic leaders look for a successor, Cleveland Councilman Zach Reed told the crowd that he has a proposal to honor Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
REED: We’re going to rename Kinsman Rd, Stephanie Tubbs Jones Boulevard!
That would have to be approved by the city and the state. If it is, it would give the late congresswoman a lasting presence at this annual event.