CINCINNATI — The “Daughter of Avondale” has been selected to represent Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods as its next vice mayor.
On Thursday, Mayor-elect Aftab Pureval announced that he has picked fellow Democrat and City Council member Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney to fill the position when his administration takes over in January.
What You Need To Know
- Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney will be the next vice mayor of Cincinnati
- The job is to fill in when the mayor is not available for City Council meetings, or serving as the city representative
- Given her relationship with the newly elected council members, she may be asked to help ensure key ordinances are passed as well
An incumbent, Lemon Kearney was the top vote-getter in November’s jam-packed race for nine seats on council. She's one of three returning members of the body.
Pureval is one of only two people in the last 86 years to earn election to mayor in Cincinnati without ever holding a seat on City Council. He said Lemon Kearney's experience and leadership will be key to making sure the administration gets off on the right foot.
The job of the vice mayor is to preside over council meetings when the mayor isn't available and serve as representative of the city at some public events. Given their perceived alignment on many key issues, Lemon Kearney may also be asked to lead the charge on council for some policy-related legislation.
"In a vice mayor, I'm looking for a true partner — someone who can step into the role without missing a beat; someone who has been a community leader for decades. Jan-Michele fits all of those qualifications," he said.
"I'm honored and really excited to serve the people of Cincinnati," Lemon Kearney added. She said regardless of whom a person voted for in November, "it's really important that we understand that regardless of party affiliation, the mayor, vice mayor, other members of council, we're all here working for everybody."
Thursday's announcement took place in the library at Rockdale Elementary in Avondale. The spot is significant to Lemon Kearney who attended the original Rockdale Elementary site not far away. She grew up just a few blocks from the school. Her father was a physician and mother taught in the Cincinnati Public Schools district.
Lemon Kearney stressed that education has long been an important part of her life. She shared stories about her mother teaching in several CPS schools over her career. She once taught at the same school, at the same time, as the mother of her husband, former Ohio State Sen. Eric Kearney.
Eric Kearney and one of the couple's two children, Asher, were in attendance Thursday.
Lemon Kearney went on to graduate from Walnut Hills High School and attend Dartmouth College, where she earned an undergraduate degree. She later received two advanced degrees from Harvard University, including a law degree.
Of her "triple-Ivy League" background, Pureval said his "Asian mother would be very proud."
While at Harvard Law School, Lemon Kearney was classmates with former President Barack Obama. She said the mayor she'll serve under reminds her a lot of Obama in terms of style of leadership and his ability to inspire others.
Pureval complimented Lemon Kearney on her professional pedigree, including her time in the legal world and running a small publishing company. But it's what he saw in her brief time on council that sealed the deal for him, Pureval said.
The mayor-to-be said he's seen Lemon Kearney lead the way on major issues facing Cincinnati, including small business support, affordable housing and various neighborhood issues. She chaired council's Neighborhoods Committee.
Pureval also complimented her on her work on racial justice and racial equity, two things he has stressed during his campaign and his lead-up to taking office early next year.
Lemon Kearney has served on Cincinnati City Council since March 2020 after being appointed by a council designee to replace Tamaya Dennard, who was arrested on federal corruption charges and later found guilty. Two other council members were also removed for corruption charges.
Lemon Kearney said having the voters select her this time in her first election meant a lot to her. She said she knows there's a lot of work to do. Six of the nine newly-elected members of City Council have never before held public office. The only other Democrat with any past experience is Greg Landsman.
She said it will be her job to ensure that "the ordinances that need to be passed are getting passed, and that everybody understands what the different viewpoints are."
Following the election, Lemon Kearney spoke fondly of the winning candidates. She said during the campaign they all showed a willingness to work together. Eight of the elected council members were endorsed by the Hamilton County Democratic Party. Liz Keating, a Republican incumbent, was the only non-endorsed Democrat elected this go-round.
Lemon Kearney said it's going to be her job, in part, to make sure that sense of togetherness remains intact.