Cleveland Heights Mayor Recalled and Booted from Office in Massive 82% Vote After Controversial Term as First Elected Mayor of the City

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Cleveland Heights voters overwhelmingly recalled Mayor Kahlil Seren in a Sept. 9 primary election, removing the city’s first directly elected mayor less than four years into his term. Unofficial totals showed 6,829 residents, or 82.2 percent, voted in favor of recall, while 1,478 voted against, according to Ballotpedia. About 24 percent of registered voters participated, a turnout far higher than in other Cuyahoga County cities with primaries the same day.

The recall followed months of controversy at City Hall, including workplace complaints, legal issues involving Seren’s wife, and a dispute over the city’s budget process. City Council had ordered the recall election July 7 after 3,845 valid petition signatures were certified, surpassing the required threshold.

Once results are certified, Council President Tony Cuda will assume the role of acting mayor through Dec. 31. Voters also narrowed the separate mayoral primary to Jim Petras and Davida Russell, who will compete Nov. 4 for a full four-year term beginning in January.

The margin of the recall mirrored the size of Seren’s initial victory. In 2021, he received 6,899 votes to become the first strong mayor under the city’s new charter. That nearly equals the number of Yes votes cast to remove him this week.

In a pre-election interview with WKYC, Seren said the recall effort was fueled by “blatant lies and misinformation.” He argued that removing him so close to the end of his term would harm city operations. “It doesn’t make sense, and I hope that people can recognize that,” Seren said.

Petitioners pointed to ongoing controversies as reason for immediate change. Among them were Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Ohio Civil Rights Commission complaints from a former staffer, alleging a hostile work environment and offensive remarks by Seren’s wife, Natalie McDaniel. Seren denied the claims. A city-commissioned workplace review later advised that McDaniel should not be a regular presence at City Hall, and council called for an outside investigation before urging Seren to resign.

McDaniel also faces a pending criminal case. She was indicted on July 30 on charges of fourth-degree felony trespass in a habitation and misdemeanor criminal trespass. She pleaded not guilty and was released on a $2,500 bond, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.

Further compounding the situation, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections ruled June 16 that Seren failed to qualify for the 2025 mayoral ballot because he did not submit enough valid signatures, leaving him unable to seek reelection.

While Seren maintained before the election that he was focused on finishing his duties, community voices made clear the recall was about more than one individual. Supporters of the recall described it as a moment of unity, saying the campaign reflected a desire for accountability and for residents to take back a sense of control over city leadership. They emphasized that the effort was about neighborhoods, families, and the shared future of the city, not simply the removal of one official.

Many residents who pushed for Seren’s ouster said the result proved that city leadership must answer to the people they serve. Some viewed the recall as a necessary message to all elected officials that they are accountable to voters. Others acknowledged that removing a mayor with only months left in office was unusual but argued that allowing Seren to remain in power would have weakened the broader message of accountability.

On social media, community members also debated what comes next. Some residents urged Seren to step aside immediately rather than waiting for election certification, saying it would allow a smoother transition. Others expressed doubt that he would exit quickly, citing his refusal to concede publicly. Calls for him to assist with transition memos and cooperation with Council President Tony Cuda reflected concerns about continuity of projects and city business.

At the same time, residents pointed to the challenges ahead. Some cautioned that while the recall represented unity across neighborhoods, races, and political affiliations, divisions could resurface during the upcoming mayoral election. For now, many said the result demonstrated the power of residents working together and marked a new chapter for Cleveland Heights.

Despite the outcome, Seren said prior to the results that he remained focused on city operations. “I’m really focused on the work that I need to do here,” he said. “So thinking about what comes next is a very difficult task for me because I’m so single-mindedly focused on making sure that Cleveland Heights ends this term the right way and begins the next term the right way.”

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