Brown Wins Democratic Nomination for Youngstown Mayor

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Incumbent Mayor Jamael Tito Brown will again be the Democratic mayoral nominee this fall as he seeks re-election.

Brown received 57.61% of the 5,612 votes cast by city voters, to the 28.44% of those received by businessman Ryan Kelly and the 13.95% for businessman and First Ward councilman Julius Oliver, according to unofficial results released by the Mahoning County Board of Elections. 

He was first elected mayor four years ago after defeating then-Mayor John McNally in the Democratic primary and notching a narrow victory over independent candidate Sean McKinney in the general election.

Brown credited the work of his campaign team and thanked city voters, who he said recognized the progress made by the city and his efforts managing the coronavirus pandemic.

“They want steady leadership in a global pandemic,” Brown said. “They came out and said we’re moving in the right direction.”

He also said he wanted to get the support of the people who didn’t vote for him in the primary talk with them to “see how we can work together to move Youngstown.”

Kelly congratulated both Brown and Oliver on their campaigns. He said he entered the race because he didn’t want voters to have to settle for a “standard’ that was “not as good as we can do.”

He said his main disappointment was that so few registered voters turned out for the election. 

“We as a city need to understand how important elections are and how important the right to vote is,” he remarked. He also said he hoped it meant something that a 31-year-old “came out and took a chance” and that more young people participate in the electoral process. 

“Thanks, YOUngstown! I’m not going anywhere,” Oliver said in a Facebook post. He also pledged to “be a champion for the people of Youngstown” and reminded people that they can “accomplish anything.”     

In the fall, Brown will face Republican Tracey Winbush and three independents.

Pictured: Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown speaks at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s Good Morning Youngstown! breakfast in March.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.