![Councilman Zack Reed addressed supporters and media Wednesday afternoon in Cleveland. [Nick Castele / ideastream]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9409c3a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/980x519+0+0/resize/840x444!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F4%2F19%2F0419reed2.jpg)
Cleveland City Councilman Zack Reed says he’ll challenge Mayor Frank Jackson in this year’s election, campaigning on safety and jobs.
Reed has served on city council since 2001. He represents the southeast side of the city, and that’s where he announced his bid for mayor.
“We need someone in that office with fresh ideas, creative ideas, innovative ideas to transform these depressed wards into a platform and into a harbor which will launch new jobs and new economies for the people of the city of Cleveland,” he said.
Reed said he’d hire 400 police officers, bringing the force up to a strength of 2000. He pledged to expand the use of surveillance cameras, fund more violence interruption efforts, and find jobs for Cleveland teens.
Reed apologized to his supporters for his past DUIs.
“But through self-reflection and treatment at the Cleveland Clinic, I’m now a better person, and I better understand the disease of alcoholism, and how you have to overcome it every single day,” he said.
He joins a crowded mayoral field. More than a dozen people have pulled petitions to run for the seat. A nonpartisan primary is in September.
