Cleveland City Council sworn into office after redistricting

CLEVELAND —  A new, 15-member Cleveland City Council has officially been sworn into office after redistricting resulted in the loss of two seats this election cycle. 

“My commitment to you, and I hope that we would make it to each other as council colleagues, is to not bring a problem without a solution,” Council President Blaine Griffin said after being chosen by his colleagues to keep his leadership role through this term. 

The body is down to 15 members from 17 in the last term because of population loss in the city over the last decade. 

“It is the best of times in some parts of Cleveland with thriving neighborhoods, amenities, world class arts, education and entertainment venues, but it’s the worst of times in other locations,” Griffin said, comparing Cleveland’s neighborhoods to Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. “There are people under a tremendous amount of pressure. We have an awesome responsibility to relieve the burden and not add to it.”

Of those sworn in Tuesday night, 12 are returning members and three are newcomers: Ward 7’s Austin Davis, Ward 11’s Nikki Hudson and Ward 12’s Tanmay Shah.

Shah, a democratic socialist, said he’s looking forward to working with council to tackle challenges coming from outside city hall.

“Pretty much everyone here is working towards improving the lives of Cleveland, and that’s not something that the ultra wealthy care about,” Shah said. “And, we know right now that they’re funneling so much money into the elections so far at the national stage at in Columbus. So, we have our work cut out, but if we can get together on the same page here, I absolutely believe we can overcome those challenges.”

Mayor Justin Bibb also marked the official start of his second term with a separate, private swearing in ceremony.

In a post on X, he said, “A second term is not a victory lap — it is a mandate. I am proud to have the opportunity to serve the city I love. The work continues.”