CLEVELAND — The two candidates for Cuyahoga County Executive, Democrat Chris Ronayne and Republican Lee Weingart, faced off in their first debate on Tuesday.

What You Need To Know

  • The debate was held at the downtown Cleveland Renaissance and hosted by the City Club of Cleveland  
  • Democrat Chris Ronayne said he is running a campaign focused on a healthy county, improving access to health care and bringing new jobs to the county

  • Republican Lee Weingart said he wants to focus on improving Cuyahoga County private housing keeping funds within the community

For one full hour, both candidates answered questions directly from Cuyahoga County residents. Weingart and Ronayne are running for a position that hasn’t been vacant for eight years.

Each wasted no time explaining their focus during their opening statements.

“I’m running to fix a county that has lost its way and forgotten its purpose,” explained Weingart.

“I am running on a healthy Cuyahoga County agenda,” emphasized Ronayne.

The hall was filled at the Renaissance in Downtown Cleveland for a debate that was hosted by the City Club of Cleveland. 

Candidates got right to the point. Weingart explained how he plans to shrink county government and invest in the suburbs.

“I want to sell the Hilton Hotel, and I want to sell the medical mart that will save $50 million a year out of our general fund,” said Weingart. “That $50 million goes right back into my initiatives to create private housing, more job and more small business.”

Ronayne explained how he plans to continue his goal of running on a healthy Cuyahoga County agenda.

"Cuyahoga County, being its position on the Great Lakes, it is poised for growth,” explained Ronayne. 

At times, the debate also brought a bit of heated discussion between the two candidates. 

“The administration that currently exists, and under Mr. Ronayne, doesn’t value jobs, doesn't understand the impact of working in the private sector. I understand that,” said Weingart. 

Ronayne took the opportunity to rebut Weingart’s statement by saying, “Lee, I sometimes wonder where you been these last 20 years, but I'm going to say to you, to say that I'm not pro-jobs? I dedicated this campaign to my mother, who passed away just before our campaign. And for 35 years, her proudest piece of the business that she worked in was employing six other women."

Both candidates have a history in public service, Weingart as county commissioner in 1995 and Ronayne as president of University Circle Inc. for 16 years. 

Voters head to the polls in just seven weeks.