Cleveland council race headed to a recount, with democratic socialist candidate likely to win

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections announced at its Tuesday certification meeting that the Cleveland City Council’s Ward 12 election results are headed to an automatic recount on Dec. 1, with a democratic socialist candidate likely still winning the election at the end.

Tanmay Shah could become the only newcomer to oust an incumbent in this year’s municipal election in Cleveland, if the progressive lawyer’s small lead over incumbent Danny Kelly holds, according to Ideastream Public Media.

It was also reported that four other races in the county triggered automatic recounts and will be conducted in the days following the Cleveland council race recount. Among the races are Bedford City School District’s Board of Education, North Randall Village Council, North Royalton Council’s Ward 6 and Orange City School District’s Board of Education.

Recounts are triggered when the margin of victory is equal to or below 0.5%. The Board of Elections will meet again to certify results after all recounts are complete. According to the news source, Shah had a seven-vote lead over Kelly on the election night. After counting valid mail-in and provisional ballots, the lead widened to 9 votes, with voter turnout standing at approximately 20%.

“I’m grateful and really excited for what we have in store,” Shah said, according to Ideastream. “What we knew from the start has been validated: when we talk to people about their material conditions and their day-to-day life about how city government should be better, they will listen and they want to see change.”

Kelly released a statement in which he congratulated Shah, admitting the recount probably won’t change anything, and praised his team.

“This race was unbelievably close because my team – and his – worked their tails off,” he said. “I want to thank everyone who volunteered for me – I’m so grateful to have you in my corner.”

Shah, who identifies as a democratic socialist with a background in housing law and labor organizing, was endorsed and financially supported by left-wing groups such as the Better Cleveland for All political action committee and the Working Families Party, according to Cleveland.com.

He ran his campaign to stand up to what he calls the “establishment” of Cleveland politics, issuing a warning in March 2024 to Council President Blaine Griffin and other city lawmakers during a Cleveland City Council meeting.

“We’re coming for you,” Shah said. “And you can build your war chest, but you can’t stop us.”