Democrats Tap Fudge To Replace Tubbs Jones

[The Straight Story]

Democrats Tap Fudge To Replace Tubbs Jones
Friday, September 12, 2008 12:53 AM

CLEVELAND — Democratic leaders on Thursday selected the mayor of a suburban Cleveland town to replace the late Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Warrensville Heights Mayor Marcia Fudge, 55, parlayed key endorsements to become the party's nominee in the heavily Democratic 11th Congressional District, which includes part of Cleveland and its eastern suburbs. She'll run against Republican Thomas Pekarek, 59, who has run unsuccessfully for public office numerous times.

Fudge, a former chief of staff to Tubbs Jones, was backed by Tubbs Jones' Democratic predecessor, Louis Stokes, and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson. The two organized a panel to hear from candidates at a closed-door meeting earlier in the week, a move criticized as boss-style politics.

Before the vote at a suburban Cleveland high school Thursday night, Fudge told members of the party's Cuyahoga County executive committee that her experience as a congressional aide made her well-qualified.

http://www.10tv.com/live/content/onnnews/stories/2008/09/12/fudge.html?sid=102

[Bob Dobbs]

1. Sweet!

Who doesn't like Fudge?

[Ninga]

2. She is sharp and knowledgeable, and not unlike Stephanie in many ways. Good choice, she

will hit the ground running in January.