Cleveland recall election, 1978

The 1978 Cleveland recall election determined whether or not the 53rd mayor of Cleveland, Dennis Kucinich, would be removed from office. It was the first mayoral recall election in the city's history.

On Good Friday 1978, Kucinich fired his police chief of only four months, Richard Hongisto, on live local television. Capitalizing on the issue, Kucinich's opponents began circulating petitions for the mayor's recall. Kucinich's opponents faulted him for what they perceived to be an inability to compromise, as well as the youth and inexperience of some of his appointees, arguing he was incapable of governing a struggling city.

Initially, the drive began slowly. Then on April 10, Cleveland City Council voted to investigate a "midnight raid" by administration officials on the office of economic director Joseph Furber. Kucinich angrily called council "a group of lunatics" and "a bunch of buffoons." He also stated that "it's hard to believe that so many people can be so stupid," and asserted that "if they're not stupid then they are crooked, or maybe both." This led to council members joining the recall drive. Realizing his mistake, Kucinich offered an apology. However, on the same day, Bob Weissman assailed council and business leaders in a speech to the Harvard Business Club.

In the summer of 1978, Kucinich set up special police patrols, in response to high crime in public housing projects. Police refused to obey the order. The administration then suspended thirteen officers and ultimately touched off a two-day police strike. It was another first in the city's history.

Additionally, Kucinich vowed to veto a plan to lease a city-owned dock to the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, which wanted the property so that it and Republic Steel could build a new ore dock. At a July 10 council meeting, the mayor spoke against the lease and started to note the contrast between the actions of council on the matter and its cautious pace on Kucinich's recommendation to hire a computer company.

"Stick to the issue," ordered Council President George L. Forbes. Kucinich responded, "Mr. Chairman, I determine the issue." "Not in this chamber," Forbes retorted. Kucinich still persisted: "Tactfully submit that you will permit me to continue my remarks." "Just one moment," Forbes said, "I chair these meetings..." Kucinich interrupted, "You have no ability, Mr. Chairman to censor my remarks!"

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