Ohio House 11th, 14th, 18th and 57th: Plain Dealer Endorsements

Today's Cleveland Plain Dealer contains endorsements in three Democratic primaries for the Ohio House of Representatives. For some reason today's editorials do not yet appear in the online edition of the paper. (This is the link to the page where they ought to appear.)

In the 11th District, comprising Brooklyn Heights, Cuyahoga Heights, Newburgh Heights, and Cleveland Wards 5, 6, 7, 12 and 16, the editors chose former legislative aide Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) over housing advocate Cleo Busby (D-Cleveland), Assistant County Prosecutors T.J. Dow (D-Cleveland) and Mamie J. Mitchell (D-Cleveland), Marcella King Piazza (D-Cleveland), and former Board of Education member Rev. Stephen D. Sullivan (D-Cleveland). Williams worked for term-limited incumbent (and Ohio Senate candidate) Annie Key (D-Cleveland) for five years. There is no Republican candidate in the race.

In the 14th District, which was recently vacated when incumbent Dale Miller (D-Cleveland) was appointed to the Ohio Senate, and which covers Brook Park, Parma Heights, and Cleveland Wards 19, 20 and 21, former State Rep. Erin Sullivan Lally (D-Cleveland) got the nod over attorney and director of the Cleveland Tenants Organization Michael Foley (D-Cleveland) and public school history teacher Bill Ritter (D-Cleveland). The editors don't mention Susan Mahon (D-Cleveland), shown as a candidate on the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections list. The winner will face William J. McGivern (R-Cleveland).

In the 18th District, which includes Berea, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, North Royalton and Strongsville, the editors like former state legislator and Congressman Ron Mottl (D-North Royalton) better than retired school business manager John M. Celebrezze (D-North Royalton). Mottl is famous as the "father" of the Ohio Lottery. He supports casino gambling and "wants to advocate for seniors on a variety of issues." Celebrezze is from a prominent political family that produced a mayor of Cleveland and an Ohio Attorney General. The winner will take on incumbent Rep. Thomas F. Patton (R-Strongsville)

In the 57th District, comprised of Avon, Avon Lake, Eaton Township, and parts of Elyria, Elyria Township and Carlisle Township, the editors picked assistant safety director and former City Councilman Matt Lundy (D-Elyria) over small business owner Alan Caruso (D-North Ridgeville). The winner will face incumbent Rep. Earl J. Martin (R-Avon Lake).