CLEVELAND — Since announcing his run for Cleveland mayor in January of 2021, Justin Bibb’s days have been busy, to say the least.

He’s been knocking on doors in communities across Cleveland.

What You Need To Know

  • Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2 

  • As election day draws near, the candidates for Cleveland mayor have been tirelessly campaigning
  • Candidate Justin Bibb is hitting the streets to connect with Cleveland voters

Bibb grew up in the Cleveland neighborhood of Mount Pleasant, so these streets and these people are special to him. 

With just a few days left until Election Day, Bibb’s campaign schedule is filled with canvassing, an opportunity to connect with voters, some who don’t typically head to the polls for local elections. 

"In a mayor's race, especially in Cleveland, was historically low voter turnout. It's really important for us to talk to voters, meet them where they are and make them understand why city government affects their daily life, probably more important than the president of the United States. So, that direct voter contact goes a long way,” Bibb said.

Bibb’s days are also filled with forums where he faces off against his competitor, Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley, debating issues such as police reform. 

“Currently, the chief and the safety director can overturn any decision that our board brings to the department around police misconduct. So the police cannot continue to police themselves,” Bibb said. 

They've also discussed education, investment and growth inequities highlighted by the coronavirus pandemic. 

"As mayor, I want to see cranes in the sky on Kinsman, Buckeye and Union, like we see cranes in the sky on West 25th Street because we deserve that,” Bibb said. 

Bibb admits that he’d rather listen than do all the talking.

On an October day while on the campaign trail, he traveled from the east side neighborhood of Hough to historic Little Italy to hear community concerns about development, zoning and city hall accessibility and transparency. 

At just 34 years old, if elected mayor, Bibb will be the city’s second-youngest mayor, taking office after the city’s longest-serving mayor, Frank Jackson.

Bibb said these long days are worth it, and they’re reflective of the type of city hall and the type of city he believes the community deserves. 

“I think listening to the residents of (this) city is the biggest thing I could do to make sure, as mayor, we're creating the right policies and the right strategies to move our community forward and that listening has to continue once I’m elected come Nov. 2,” he said.

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