Councilman Joe Cimperman to run for Kucinich's seat

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/12/councilman_joe_cimperman_to_ru.html

Posted by Mark Naymik December 03, 2007 23:30PM

...Kucinich refuses to say if he plans to seek a seventh term next year; the filing deadline is a month away.

If Kucinich does run for re-election, Cimperman, who represents downtown Cleveland, will be Kucinich's first serious challenger in either a primary or general election since he was elected to Congress in 1996...

Since then, he's become the political point person on development and housing downtown while maintaining his advocacy for the poor. He's also forged a relationship with some of the region's biggest businessmen, who have given tens of thousands of dollars to his campaigns.

Kucinich spokeswoman Natalie Laber would not comment on Cimperman but suggested his bid for the seat is tainted...



HOW MUCH CAN THIS COMMUNITY STAND AS CORPORATIZED POLS NOURISH ELITE?

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/3609

Submitted by Roldo Bartimole on November 13, 2007 - 10:35pm.


...An aside to reveal how debauched our politics have become:

I read in Crain’s Cleveland Business a comment by downtown council member Joe Cimperman that tells all we need to know about Joe and about our politics in town today. He dejectedly complained that a Los Angeles developer of the former Ryerson building at 5300 Lakeside didn’t ask for city subsidies. How dare they!

Cimperman stated that a council member by the mere signature of his name could have dropped $250,000 in the lap of this dumb developer who was too busy renovating a building to ask Joe for a favor.

Just Ask Joe for $250,000! By the way, where’s your business card, Mr. Businessman, because there must be some election coming up and I can send you a reminder of where to send the contribution...



OH-10: Cleveland Councilman Will Run for Kucinich's Seat

http://www.swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1164

by: James L.
Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 1:07 AM EST

Should Dennis Kucinich be on the lookout? It seems like he has yet another primary challenger:...



Cimperman joins Rosemary Palmer and Barbara Ferris in the primary, but he would appear to be Kucinich's first foe who could bring a level of organization and a political track record to the table. In an article written last month, local columnist Brent Larkin described Cimperman as a potentially dangerous foe. But even if Kucinich's presidential ambitions are wearing the district's patience thin, he would be tough to beat, especially in a crowded primary.

Cimperman might be banking on a retirement by Kucinich, who has so far played coy on his re-election plans. Or he could be giving him a nudge.

In any event, this makes life a lot more complicated for Special K...