Ed FitzGerald

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This article is about the Ohio politician. For the baseball player, see Ed Fitz Gerald. For other people, see Edward Fitzgerald.
Ed FitzGerald
1st Executive of Cuyahoga County
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 9, 2011
Preceded by Position established
Mayor of Lakewood
In office
2008–2011
Preceded by Thomas George
Succeeded by Michael Summers
Personal details
Born Edward FitzGerald
(1968-07-10) July 10, 1968
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Shannon FitzGerald
Alma mater Ohio State University
Cleveland State University
Religion Roman Catholicism
Website Official website
Campaign website

Edward "Ed" FitzGerald (born July 10, 1968) is an American politician and the first County Executive of Cuyahoga County, the most populated county in Ohio. Prior to being elected County Executive he served as the Mayor of Lakewood, Ohio from 2007 to 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he is a candidate for Governor of Ohio in the 2014 election.

Background

FitzGerald graduated from the Ohio State University in 1990, and obtained a law degree from the Cleveland–Marshall College of Law in 1993. During this time, FitzGerald worked as a staff assistant for former U.S. Congressman Edward F. Feighan. He also served on the staff of Indiana Secretary of State Evan Bayh.

In 1995, FitzGerald was commissioned as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was assigned to the Organized Crime Task Force in Chicago. FitzGerald participated in investigations regarding political corruption and mafia influence in Cicero, Illinois.

Political career

In 1998, FitzGerald returned to the Cleveland area and later joined the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office. In 1999, he was elected as a City Councilman for the City of Lakewood, Ohio, a position he held for nine years. In 2007, he was elected as Mayor of Lakewood, Ohio. FitzGerald’s administration focused on a community policing initiative and dealing with a financial crisis.[1]

On November 3, 2009, the voters of Cuyahoga County, which includes the City of Cleveland and 59 surrounding suburbs, voted to authorize a new form of county government, due in large part to a widespread scandal in county government.[2] Under this new system, in 2010 FitzGerald defeated a field of ten candidates to become the first County Executive of Cuyahoga County.[3]

Upon assuming office, FitzGerald has spearheaded a long list of reforms, included under the general rubric of “The Western Reserve Plan.”[4] Key components include a strict code of ethics monitored by an inspector general, shrinking the size of government, a community policing unit, a scholarship program to encourage college attainment, the promotion of regional economic and service cooperation strategies, and significant economic development fund to promote job creation.

2014 Gubernatorial candidacy

Main article: Ohio gubernatorial election, 2014

FitzGerald, a Democrat, was frequently mentioned as a potential gubernatorial nominee for 2014. In 2012, he gave a videotaped response to Governor John Kasich’s speech at the Republican National Committee.[5] In March 2013, he formed an exploratory committee to consider a campaign for governor of Ohio.[6]

On April 24, 2013, he announced his candidacy for Governor of Ohio.[7] Former Governor Ted Strickland endorsed FitzGerald's candidacy.[8] With other Ohio Democrats like Strickland and Richard Cordray passing on the race, FitzGerald is the presumptive nominee.[9]

On November 20, 2013, FitzGerald picked Eric Kearney to be his running mate. [10] On December 10, Kearney stepped down from the ticket due to increasing controversy surrounding back taxes owed by himself and his wife.[11] He later selected Sharen Swartz Neuhardt, an at attorney from the Dayton area, to be his running mate.[12]

Personal life

FitzGerald is the seventh of eight children and is of Irish Catholic ancestry. He and his wife Shannon have been married for twenty-one years and are the parents of four children.

References

  1. ↑ Spirgen, Kate. "Mayor: City in Better Shape". Sun Post-Herald. Retrieved December 20, 2010. 
  2. ↑ McCarty, James. "Federal prosecutors recommend Jimmy Dimora be sentenced to at least 22 years in prison". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved July 23, 2012. 
  3. ↑ Gomez, Henry. "Cuyahoga County executive candidates share ideas for economic development at forum". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved July 28, 2010. 
  4. ↑ Miller, Jay. "Cuyahoga County exec FitzGerald looks to lead consolidation of gov't services". Crain’s Cleveland Business. Retrieved October 22, 2012. 
  5. ↑ Cleveland Leader Staff. "Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald Responds to Ohio Gov. John Kasich's Speech at RNC". Cleveland Leader. Retrieved August 29, 2012. 
  6. ↑ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/03/11/ohio-gov-john-kasich-gets-first-likely-challenger-ed-fitzgerald/?wprss=rss_election-2012
  7. ↑ Gomez, Henry J. (24 April 2013). "Ed FitzGerald kicks off his long-planned bid for governor by banking on his Cuyahoga County base". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved 27 August 2013. 
  8. ↑ "Ted Strickland endorses Ed FitzGerald for governor". 
  9. ↑ Gomez, Henry J. (29 July 2013). "Ohio governor's race: Former Gov. Ted Strickland passes torch to fellow Democrat Ed FitzGerald". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved 27 August 2013. 
  10. ↑ "fitzgerald-picks-sen-eric-kearney-for-ohio-governors-race". Fox 19. 
  11. ↑ "Democrat ends bid to be Ohio's lieutenant governor". WKYC. 
  12. ↑ Navera, Tristan (January 17, 2014), Kasich challenger picks Dayton lawyer as running mate, Dayton, Ohio: Dayton Business Journal, retrieved January 24, 2014 

External links

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