CLEVELAND — Cleveland’s four-term Mayor Frank Jackson said during a virtual town hall on Thursday he will not seek a fifth term in office.
Jackson, who said he was honored to lead the city, is Cleveland’s longest-serving mayor.
“Together, we have accomplished many, many things,” Jackson said. “The work and the challenges for public servants never end. In that sense, there is always work to be done.”
Other prominent northeast Ohio Democrats have already announced they are running for the seat: State Sen. Sandra Williams; Zack Reed, a former member of Cleveland City Council who finished with 40.5% of the vote in the 2017 mayoral election; and Kevin Kelley, Cleveland City Council’s president have all announced bids to replace Jackson.
Jackson would not offer an endorsement during his town hall.
Jackson spent the opening part of the town hall reflecting on his tenure as mayor. Before taking questions from callers and constituents, the town hall played a vignette that included messages from area leaders. The montage also included comments from Samuel L. Jackson.