Lorain Democrats Tap Jack Bradley For Mayor's Race

Lorain Democrats have found their man: attorney Jack Bradley is running for mayor.

Bradley was the only candidate nominated Tuesday night by the Lorain City Democratic Party Central Committee to replace Chase Ritenauer, who  announced his resignation in early May, days after he won the Democratic primary unopposed.

Bradley said his candidacy will focus on education and raising Lorain High School’s state report card rating and bringing the city of Lorain together with a citizen’s committee to keep his administration focused on the issues that matter most to residents, according to the Lorain Morning Journal.

“We’re all brothers and sisters. Everybody in this town is my brother or sister and we’ve got to start thinking that way,” Bradley said. “Everybody gets an equal advantage in this town. I thank you for this vote of confidence. It’s really an honor. I lost the last election I ran. I’m going to win this one.”

Bradley lost his 2018 race for Lorain County Domestic Relations Judge. 

The committee's selection of Bradley for the November ballot resolves a dilemma for the Lorain Democratic Party which had six potential candidates for the mayoral race but most were removed from contention earlier this month.

Ohio state law prevents candidates from running for mayor in November if they sought a different office in the primary. That “sore loser” law meant five interested candidates were ineligible to appear on the ballot as mayoral hopefuls in November: acting Mayor Joel Arredondo, Treasurer Karen Shawver, Councilwoman Mary Springowski, Councilman Mitchell Fallis and council candidate Tony Dimacchia.

Bradley will face Republican candidate Jessie Towers in November’s general election.