Fudge endorses for Fitzgerald's replacement, but STILL won't endorse HIM.
Two months ago, we shared with you the story of how Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, who represents a large portion of Cuyahoga County, has refused so far to endorse Ed Fitzgerald.
Ed Fitzgerald told Marcia Fudge he didn't need her to win the black vote
Cuyahoga is Fitz's home county, and he needs a large turnout there in order to win. A disappointing turnout from Cuyahoga County is what sank former Governor Ted Strickland's reelection in 2010.
Ms. Fudge has, however, made endorsements for other Democrats who are in races for major Ohio offices. She has endorsed State Senator Nina Turner in her race for Secretary of State, for instance.
And today she made another endorsement. For Fitzgerald's replacement. From Andrew Tobias of the NE Ohio Media Group:
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Further cementing his status as the race's early frontrunner, Ohio Rep. Armond Budish collected another formidable endorsement Monday in his quest to become the next Cuyahoga County Executive.
U.S. Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, a Democrat from Warrensville Heights, announced her support of Budish's candidacy at a morning event at the Warrnesville Heights branch of the Cuyahoga County public library.
There are several Democrats running for Fitzy's job, and the primary is still six months away. But Ms. Fudge made an endorsement anyway.
You would think that an endorsement for the only Democrat running for governor would be automatic.
But not so. Why?
Perhaps she thinks the Ohio Democratic Party could have done much better. It's pretty obvious that Fitzgerald's candidacy doesn't excite her.
It could also be that Ed Fitzgerald thinks that he doesn't need Fudge's support to win the black vote in Cuyahoga County. That rumor had been swirling for weeks. When asked if it was true, Fudge couldn't deny that he said so and replied "Not in those words."
Fudge was also absent from Fitzgerald's big announcement event. (Although to be fair, hardly anybody attended his rally.)
We've been telling you what a last-choice, bottom of the barrel candidate Ed Fitzgerald is for Ohio Democrats. The fact that a powerful Democratic Congresswoman is making lots of endorsements, but refuses to back the Dem's only candidate for governor who also happens to be from her home county, speaks volumes to back up our claim.