Dan O'Malley Set To Bring Fresh Perspective To Lakewood City Council

City Council candidate Dan O'Malley marches with supporters in Lakewood's July 4th parade. 

Dan O’Malley is running unopposed to represent Ward 4 on Lakewood City Council, but that doesn’t mean the first-time candidate is taking anything for granted. O’Malley, a resident of the Gold Coast neighborhood, has continued going door-to-door throughout the ward, attending community meetings, and listening to the voices of people he will soon represent on Lakewood’s East End.

O’Malley initially faced a three-way race for the seat, but both other candidates eventually withdrew after the filing deadline had passed.

“I’m glad to not have the pressure of a contested election, but I’m still keeping busy with what I would have otherwise been doing as a candidate,” he said. “It’s important for people to know I’m someone who is available to them, active in the community, and who wants to hear what they have to say.”

Since graduating from John Carroll University in 2007, O’Malley has spent most of his career in the labor movement, holding various positions with Working America, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. He has spent the last two years as the organization’s state director for Ohio, but soon will be stepping into a new role with the North Shore (Cleveland) AFL-CIO.

“I think my experience fighting for workers will serve me well as a councilperson,” he said. “I’ve advocated on a range of issues from job creation to retirement security, health care and education.”

O’Malley has also been actively involved in a number of charitable and social causes important to him, and currently serves on the boards of Equality Ohio and Cleveland Stonewall Democrats.

O'Malley said the part of campaigning he enjoys most is going door-to-door to meet voters and talk about the most important issues facing Lakewood. “I am continuously amazed by the ideas Lakewood residents have for moving our city forward,” he said. “It proves a couple of things: first, people care very deeply about our community and its future, and second, we have a wealth of talent and creativity living on every block in this city.”

The future of Lakewood Hospital and public safety are among the most common issues brought up by residents O’Malley meets every week. “Keeping Lakewood safe is a top priority of mine,” O’Malley said. “As a member of council, I will advocate for better resources for our safety forces and crack down on absentee landlords who neglect their properties and tenants."

O’Malley has been endorsed by the Lakewood Association of Fire Fighters and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 25, which represents Lakewood’s police officers. He has also received the backing of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, the Lakewood Democratic Club, and a host of other organizations and labor unions.

Ultimately, O'Malley's goal is to earn the trust of his neighbors and serve as a strong voice for them on council. “There may be times when people disagree with me on issues," he said. "But residents of Ward 4 should know that I will always fight for them, and always be on their side.”

Joshua Thielen

I'm a labor organizer and have lived in Lakewood for many years. Very passionate about politics, sports, and culture in Northeast Ohio.

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Volume 11, Issue 20, Posted 11:29 AM, 09.29.2015