Bibb won a second term easily. But do his ambitions lie elsewhere? Brent Larkin

By any measure, Justin Bibb’s reelection as mayor of Cleveland represents a remarkable political accomplishment.

When he announced his candidacy to succeed Frank Jackson in January 2021, Bibb’s name recognition and chance of winning hovered just above zero. But back in 2020, a poll paid for by Bibb’s early supporters showed that a “change agent” candidacy resonated with the few Cleveland voters who still paid attention. And in early 2021, I argued for giving Bibb’s candidacy “a close look.” Why? “Not because he’s necessarily the best candidate, but because he’s a promising new face with lots of admirers, and quite a few skeptics.”

But not until Bibb annihilated a field of far better-known contenders in the Sept. 14, 2021, mayoral primary did pretty much everyone pile on the bandwagon.