![Justin Bibb received the endorsement of prominent Black pastors in Cleveland plus former city councilman Zack Reed. Ward 7 Councilman Basheer Jones endorsed Kevin Kelley. [Nick Castele / Ideastream Public Media]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/35288de/2147483647/strip/true/crop/980x552+0+0/resize/840x474!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F10%2F05%2FBibb-Kelley-Sept-endorsements.jpg)
Two defeated primary candidates picked sides in the general election last week. Zack Reed endorsed Justin Bibb, and Basheer Jones backed Kevin Kelley.
In the primary, Bibb and Kelley found some of their strongest political support in wards that cover West Side neighborhoods. Now, they’re enlisting East Side former mayoral candidates as their advocates.
Reed hosted Bibb at Reed’s campaign headquarters on Kinsman Road in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood.
An hour later and six miles up the road, Ward 7 Councilman Basheer Jones endorsed Council President Kevin Kelley at a park in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.
Both candidates are pitching themselves to Cleveland’s African American voters, especially the older, Black homeowners in places like Union-Miles, Mt. Pleasant, Lee-Harvard and Glenville. They're reliable voters and people like Reed and Jones could help convince those voters whom to pick next.
Also on the November ballot is Issue 24, which promises to remake civilian oversight of Cleveland police. Leadership of the city's safety forces have launched their push against it. We discuss what's in the amendment with Ideastream Public Media's criminal justice reporter Matt Richmond.
Follow “After Jackson: Cleveland's Next Mayor” on NPR One, iTunes or on your favorite podcast platform. Or catch it every Wednesday at 9 a.m. on the “Sound of Ideas” on 90.3 WCPN.
