Armond Budish

Cuyahoga County residents will vote for a new County Executive next month. Republican Lee Weingart is facing off against Democrat Chris Ronayne. Ideastream is profiling both candidates ahead of the election, and recently caught up with Ronayne on the campaign trail.

Democratic candidate Chris Ronayne and Republican hopeful Lee Weingart met at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel at noon, answering questions from county residents in a conversation moderated by Ideastream Public Media.

Residents consider Budish's promise of investment in the community to be more hype than substance.

The state and county are splitting the cost of a $19.4 million contract with the Minnesota-based nonprofit PCs for People to offer the $15-per-month service.

Conor O'Boyle says he is seeking accountability for the sheriff's deputies who fired into the crowd that day.

The five leading GOP candidates have spent a combined $65 million - spending could reach around $150 million by the general election in November; Cuyahoga County Sheriff resigns a year after appointment; Guardians beat Athletics in first sweep in 22 years; and more stories.

Smith is the only woman in the race to lead Cuyahoga County government. Also seeking the office are Chris Ronayne and Tariq K. Shabazz, both Democrats, and Republican Lee Weingart.

More than 20 years ago, when Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jane Campbell was running for mayor of Cleveland, she hired a 32-year-old county planner and executive assistant named Chris Ronayne to manage her campaign.

The second-term suburban mayor told Ideastream Public Media on Tuesday that she is suspending her campaign. According to a news release, Blackwell will instead focus on serving out the remaining two years in her term.

The county executive may not carry the history or gravitas of the Cleveland mayor, but the county exec holds plenty of power. The county government runs the jail, owns a Downtown hotel, provides a constellation of social services and manages a $1.5 billion annual budget.