Chris Ronayne is an American politician who currently serves as the 3rd Cuyahoga County Executive. He was elected to the office in 2022, defeating Lee Weingart with 63.9% of the vote.[1] Ronayne took office on January 1, 2023.[2]
Chris Ronayne | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 3rd Executive of Cuyahoga County | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Armond Budish |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 2, 1968 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Alma mater | Miami University, Cleveland State University |
Early life edit
Chris Ronayne was born in Chicago, Illinois[3] on September 2, 1968[citation needed] to Kathleen and James Ronayne. He attended Bay High School, west of Cleveland, where he was captain of the school’s hockey team.[4] Following high school, Ronayne went to Miami University and later received a Master of Urban Planning and Development from Cleveland State University.[5]
Career edit
Ronayne began his career on the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission prior to serving as campaign manager for then-Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jane Campbell’s successful run for Cleveland Mayor in 2001.[6] He then served in Campbell’s administration as the City of Cleveland Planning Director. Ronayne also worked as the city’s Chief of Staff and Chief Development Officer.[7] In 2005, Ronayne was named president of University Circle Inc, a non-profit that oversees the University Circle neighborhood on Cleveland’s East Side. On October 1, 2021, Ronayne stepped down as UCI President to run for Cuyahoga County Executive.[8]
County Executive edit
The 2022 Cuyahoga County executive election was for an open seat, as incumbent Armond Budish chose not to run for a third term.[9] After defeating Tariq Shabbaz in the Democratic primary, Ronayne faced the Republican nominee, former county commissioner Lee Weingart.[10] Cuyahoga County, a Democratic stronghold, gave 247,301 votes, nearly 110,000 more than Weingart received.[1] Ronayne was sworn in on January 1 of the following year, but had a ceremonial inauguration in Downtown Cleveland on January 21.[2]
Ronayne began his tenure focusing on issues relating to the homeless and public transportation.[11] As part of this emphasis, he created a new department of Housing and Community Development and appointed a Senior Advisor for Transportation.[12] He has also called for economic development efforts alongside Lake Erie, which makes up the northern border of Cuyahoga County.[13] Additionally, Ronayne prioritized waterfront access, affordable housing and improved resident services during his campaign.[14] Since taking office, he has championed the creation of Neighborhood Based Services as a way to decentralize social services offered by county government.[15]
Two days after his election, Ronayne named former Sandusky city manager Eric Wobser as his chief of staff.[16] He also appointed Cleveland Deputy Police Chief Harold Pretel as Cuyahoga County Sheriff.[17]
Personal life edit
He is married to Natalie Ronayne, who is the Chief Development Officer for the Cleveland Metroparks. They have two kids.[18] He has previously been named to Crain's Cleveland's 40 under 40 list and Cleveland Magazine's Most Interesting People 2023 list. [3][4]
References edit
- ^ a b "Election Results". Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.
- ^ a b Reports, Staff (January 2023). "Chris Ronayne sworn in as Cuyahoga's County Executive". Cleveland.com. The Plain Dealer.
- ^ a b Miller, Jay (17 May 2018). "Chris Ronayne, 35". Crain's Cleveland.
- ^ a b Stewart, Dillon. "Chris Ronayne: Most Interesting People 2023". Cleveland Magazine.
- ^ "CHRISTOPHER RONAYNE ('96 MUPDD)". Cleveland State University.
- ^ "After a career away from local politics, Chris Ronayne hopes to become Cuyahoga County executive". IdeaStream. IdeaStream Public Media. 26 January 2022.
- ^ "Chris Ronayne". Cleveland State University.
- ^ Raspe, Becky (6 September 2021). "Ronayne stepping down as University Circle Inc. president to run for county executive". Cleveland Jewish News. Cleveland Jewish Publishing Company.
- ^ Carey, Tyler (16 November 2021). "Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish will not seek re-election in 2022". WKYC.
- ^ Staff (4 May 2022). "Chris Ronayne beats Tariq K. Shabazz in Cuyahoga County executive Democratic primary". Cleveland.com. The Plain Dealer.
- ^ "New Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne starts tenure with legislation on housing for homeless". Ideastream Public Media. 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland com (2023-02-13). "Ronayne hires first Director of Housing and Community Development, Senior Advisor for Transportation". cleveland. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ "Cuyahoga County to launch institute to protect fresh water and spur economic development". Ideastream Public Media. 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ "The 2023 State of the County with County Executive Chris Ronayne". The City Club of Cleveland.
- ^ "Novel approach: Cuyahoga County brings services directly to the community". FreshWater Media, LLC. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ Durbin, Kaitlin (10 November 2022). "Cuyahoga Executive-Elect Chris Ronayne names future chief of staff Eric Wobser among transition team". Cleveland.com. The Plain Dealer.
- ^ Oprea, Mark. "Chris Ronayne to Appoint Harold Pretel as Cuyahoga County Sheriff". Cleveland Scene.
- ^ Sandrick, Robert; Goodrich, Barry; Sell, Jill; Smitek, Colleen; Thompson, Lynn. "Power Couples: Chris & Natalie Ronayne". Cleveland Magazine.