Frank Jackson becomes the first of 14 declared candidates to file the required petitions and paperwork as a candidate for the November election, seeking to keep the position he's held the past three-and-a-half years.
After filing, Jackson said he looks forward to the campaign, and to leading the city for another term.
He touted accomplishments including a balanced city budget, and avoiding municipal worker layoffs that have plagued many other Ohio cities.
With some council members and city leaders at his side, Jackson also addressed a sometimes contentious relationship with the council - but says he appreciates the differences in their agendas.
FRANK JACKSON: "WHENEVER YOU GET THINGS DONE IN A POSITIVE WAY, ITS' A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT EVERYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY ALL OF THE TIME, BUT IT DOES MEAN WE WORK TOGETHER ON A COMMON GOAL, AND THAT IS TO MAKE CLEVELAND A BETTER PLACE FOR PEOPLE AND FOR BUSINESS, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN LIVE, WORK, PLAY, AND DO BUSINESS HERE."
Jackson proclaimed himself pro-business and pro education, and said both need the support of City Hall.
While disappointed in Wednesday's State Supreme Court residency ruling - which went against Cleveland - Jackson said he accepts the challenge in a second term, to create standards that will make people choose to move in, or persuade residents to continue living inside the city's limits.
