Lakewood Political History?

[Michael Deneen]

FitzGerald's candidacy got me thinking....has any politician ever successfully moved from Lakewood City Hall to statewide office?

Lakewood native Dick Celeste was twice elected Governor in the 1980s....but he never actually served in Lakewood city government. His first political office was State Rep in 1970.
His dad was Mayor in the lates 50s/early 60s.

[Peter Grossetti]

Tony Sinagra ... Mayor to Ohio Senate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Sinagra

Nickie Antonio ... Lakewood City Council to Ohio House http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickie_Antonio

[Bill Trentel]

Mike Skindell our current Ohio State Senator was a council member.

[Michael Deneen]

I am referring to statewide office.....one that is elected by all 88 counties.

Governor, Lt. Gov, US Senator, Secretary of State, AG, or Auditor

[Stan Austin]

None that I know of

[Peter Grossetti]

I am referring to statewide office.....one that is elected by all 88 counties.

Governor, Lt. Gov, US Senator, Secretary of State, AG, or Auditor

Sorry, Mike, for the misunderstanding. Apparently Lakewood-bred politicians are just not that ambitious. (though Tom Bullock and Sam O'Leary are relatively young, yet.)

[Stan Austin]

Apparently Lakewood-bred politicians are just not that ambitiou

.
Even though they didn't follow the exact path the Mike outlined two Lakewood bred politicians have to have been THE MOST ambitious I have ever run across anywhere. The first is Dick Celeste. I think he made Governor at age 42. He was discussed as a possible Presidential contender as is any Ohio Governor. That didn't work out but he successfully capped his public service career as US Ambassador to India.
Bryan Flannery was really moving fast but just couldn't break into the top tier.

[Michael Deneen]

I agree with Stan....there has certainly been no shortage of ambition over the years.

Over the past 25 years, it's easy to see why noone has made the jump. Lakewood is simply out of step with the increasingly conservative political environment in Ohio.

I'm sort of surprised that noone made the jump back in the old days (pre-1970).

[marklingm]

Has anyone ever been a Lakewood mayor or councilperson … been elected to a county or statewide position … and then returned to the same position of Lakewood mayor or councilperson?

[Stan Austin]

No

[marklingm]

Stan,

Where is Bryan Flannery now?

Matt

[Stan Austin]

Matt--He and his family are down in Bath Township although I haven't been in touch recently. Stan

[marklingm]

Matt--He and his family are down in Bath Township although I haven't been in touch recently. Stan

Really?

My wife and I first met him at Caribou Coffee in Lakewood.

Now that my main office is in Bath Township, I'll need to look him up.

A good article to write - if anyone has the interest - would be a "where are they now" piece.

I once tracked down all the former Lakewood school board members and, believe it or not, there are more than a few out there. Sadly, I never found the time to round them up and gather their collective wisdom.

Thanks, Stan.

Matt