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Former Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman has officially announced his candidacy for Cincinnati City Council as an independent. Known for his long track record in public safety, fiscal responsibility, and government accountability, Smitherman is now turning his focus toward returning to City Hall.
Supporters can meet him in person and sign his petitions at Jim & Jack’s between now and August 20th. Smitherman needs 500 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.
A Long Career in Public Service
Smitherman first joined Cincinnati City Council in 2003, serving until 2005, and returned in 2011, holding office until 2022. From 2018 to 2022, he served as vice mayor.
During his time in office, Smitherman chaired the Law & Public Safety Committee for nearly a decade (2013–2022), overseeing critical policy decisions involving police, fire departments, and other safety services.
NAACP Leadership
Before his return to City Hall, Smitherman served as president of the Cincinnati NAACP from 2007 to 2014. Under his leadership, the organization expanded its membership and spearheaded successful ballot initiatives, including the rejection of a county jail tax and the removal of red-light cameras.
Independent Leadership Style
While he has often worked with members of different political parties, Smitherman has always run as an independent. He is known for his pragmatic, results-focused approach to governance and his willingness to work across political divides to get things done.
In 2022, he ran as an independent for Hamilton County Commissioner, earning 23% of the vote in a competitive race.
Personal and Family Roots
Born in Cincinnati in 1967, Smitherman comes from a family deeply committed to public service and education. His father was the first African American PhD chemist at Procter & Gamble, and his mother was a respected school administrator.
Smitherman earned a degree in criminal justice from The Ohio State University and later a master’s in counseling from Bowling Green State University.
He and his late wife, Pamela—a Cincinnati Public Schools teacher—raised five children in North Avondale. Her passing in 2019 deeply shaped his perspective on family and service.
How to Support
Smitherman is inviting Cincinnati residents to Jim & Jack’s to sign his petitions and help him reach the 500 valid signatures needed by August 20th. This is a chance for voters to meet him, ask questions, and support his campaign to return to City Council.
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