| Election Name: | 2021 Cleveland City Council election |
| Country: | Cleveland |
| Type: | legislative |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 2017 Cleveland City Council election |
| Previous Year: | 2017 |
| Next Election: | 2025 Cleveland City Council election |
| Next Year: | 2025 |
| Seats For Election: | 17 seats on the Cleveland City Council |
| Majority Seats: | 9 |
| Election Date: | November 2, 2021 |
| President | |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Last Election1: | 17 |
| Seats1: | 17 |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Before Election: | Kevin Kelley |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Blaine Griffin |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 2021 Cleveland City Council election was held on November 2, 2021. The primary elections were held on September 14, 2021. All 17 seats on Cleveland City Council were up for election for four-year terms. Elections in Cleveland are officially nonpartisan, with the top two candidates from the primary election advancing to the general election, regardless of party.[1]
Two council members, Basheer Jones of Ward 7 and Council President Kevin Kelley of Ward 13, retired to run unsuccessfully for Mayor of Cleveland in the concurrent mayoral election.[2]
| Ward | Name | Entered office | Running | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 2 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 3 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 4 | No | ||||
| 5 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 6 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 7 | No | ||||
| 8 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 9 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 10 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 11 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 12 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 13 | No | ||||
| 14 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 15 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 16 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes | |||
| 17 | bgcolor=lightgreen | Yes |
Councilman Joe Jones successfully ran for reelection.
Councilman Kevin Bishop successfully ran for reelection.
Councilman Kerry McCormack successfully ran for reelection.
Councilwoman Marion Anita Gardner was appointed by Cuyahoga County Probate Judge Anthony Russo to fill the seat of indicted Councilman Ken Johnson. Gardner chose not to run for election to a full term.[3] Although he was legally barred from holding office, Johnson ran a campaign to regain his seat, though he would be eliminated in the primary.[4]
Ward 4 would elect Democratic precinct committeewoman Deborah A. Gray, the twin sister of councilwoman Delores Gray, who unsuccessfully ran for election to a full term in Ward 5.[5]
Councilwoman Delores Gray ran unsuccessfully for a full term after being appointed to fill the seat of retiring councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland. Gray would be unseated by Richard A. Starr, the director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland.[6]
Councilman Blaine Griffin ran unopposed.
Incumbent Councilman Basheer Jones gave up his seat to run unsuccessfully for Mayor of Cleveland in the concurrent mayoral election.[2] Jones would be succeeded by State Representative Stephanie Howse.[5]
Councilman Michael Polensek successfully ran for reelection.
Councilman Kevin Conwell ran unopposed.
Councilman Anthony Hairston ran unopposed.
Councilman Brian Mooney successfully won election to a full term.
Councilman Anthony Brancatelli was unseated by lawyer Rebecca Maurer. Brancatelli was the only elected Councilmember to lose reelection.[6]
City Council President Kevin Kelley gave up his seat to run unsuccessfully for Mayor of Cleveland in the concurrent mayoral election.[2] Voters replaced Kelley with community organizer and housing advocate Kris Harsh.[1]
Councilwoman Jasmine Santana successfully ran for reelection.
Councilwoman Jenny Spencer successfully won election to a full term.
Councilman Brian Kazy ran unopposed.
Councilman Charles J. Slife successfully won election to a full term.