Jack Schron's campaign brought together about 40 supporters in the Harvard community center on Cleveland's southeast side this weekend.
Among them was State Sen. Shirley Smith, a Democrat who lost to Armond Budish in the primary race for county executive. But Smith says she's not backing Budish -- she's endorsing Jack Schron.
"He understands that creating jobs is the No. 1 solution to having a healthier county, a safer county and a prosperous, educated county," Smith said.
Schron's campaign says he's earned support from several Democrats, including two other candidates whom Budish defeated in the primary: former North Olmsted Mayor Thomas O'Grady and former Sheriff Bob Reid.
Smith denied she was endorsing Schron as a way to strike a blow against a Democratic establishment that didn't support her.
"My endorsement has more to do with principle than to do with any kind of...disenchantment," she said. "My endorsement has more to do with the better person, the better candidate, the person who is committed to the area, who is committed to the people."
Former Lakewood Mayor Tom George, who lost a reelection bid to now-Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald in 2007, joined Smith at the rally to endorse Schron.
Budish has racked up endorsements from the vast majority of Democratic elected officials. In an email to ideastream, Budish's campaign noted a few, including FitzGerald, Sen. Sherrod Brown and Rep. Marcia Fudge.
