From Tomorrow Morning's Lakewood Observer...
by Margaret Brinich
Although 2019 was considered an off-year election, locally, this year's election cycle proved to be as busy as ever in Lakewood. With mayor, four ward council races, and three board of education seats up for grabs, election night in Lakewood did not disappoint. From the start, as the results rolled in, the margins in the most hotly contested and closely watched race of the night, that which would determine Lakewood's next mayor, were razor thin. Ultimately, Meghan George prevailed over her fellow current councilperson, Sam O'Leary. The Ward 1 Council seat went to Tess Neff, the Ward 2 Council seat went to Jason Shachner, and the Ward 3 Council seat went to incumbent John Litten. The Ward 4 Council seat was uncontested, with Dan O'Malley retaining his seat on council. Of the three seats up for grabs on the Lakewood Board of Education, two will stay with familiar names, Linda Beebe and Emma Petrie-Barcelona, while the third will go to a new face on the board - Michael Callahan.
In addition, there were several other races impacting Lakewood, including a charter amendment that adds a primary election contest for Lakewood's Municipal Judge seat if more than two candidates run for the post. In addition, at the county level, Issue 3, the Cuyahoga Community College tax levy renewal and increase, passed with a strong majority.
Municipal Election Results
Lakewood Mayor
Meghan F. George: 50.73% (5,702)
Sam O'Leary: 49.27% (5,537)
Lakewood City Council Ward 1
Tess Neff: 61.68% (1,774)
Laura Rodriguez-Carbone: 38.32% (1,102)
Lakewood City Council Ward 2
Jason Shachner: 62.14% (1,874)
Brad Presutto: 37.86% (1,142)
Lakewood City Council 3
John Litten: 66.73% (1,893)
Jeff Wise: 33.27% (944)
Lakewood City Council Ward 4
Daniel J. O'Malley: 100% (1,518)
Board of Education (vote for 3)
Emma Petrie-Barcelona: 25.11% (5,710)
Michael J. Callahan: 21.84% (4,966)
Linda G. Beebe: 20.25% (4,605)
Tom Einhouse: 17.20% (3,911)
Andrew A. Meyer: 15.61% (3,549)
Lakewood Charter Amendment Judges
Yes: 85.20% (9,067)
No: 14.80% (1,575)
Thank you all for running, and thank you all for voting.
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