Kahlil Seren

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Kahlil Seren
KahlilSerenMug1.jpg
1st Elected Mayor, Cleveland Heights, OH
Assumed office
January 1, 2022
Personal details
Born Cleveland, Ohio
Political party Democratic
Education Cleveland State University, BA
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, MS
Website Mayor Kahlil Seren | City of Cleveland Heights, OH

Kahlil Seren is an American politician, former local-government adviser, and the first directly elected Mayor of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. [1] Before becoming mayor, Seren was a policy adviser to Cuyahoga County Council and served on the Cleveland Heights City Council. [2]

Contents

Seren has been the subject of multiple legal and workplace culture controversies. [3] [4] [5] He faces a recall vote on September 9, 2025 [6] and is ineligible to compete in the 2025 mayoral election due to failure to submit enough valid petition signatures. [7]

Early life and education

Seren was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio and spent his childhood in East Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Beachwood High School in 1997. [8]

Seren studied at Eastern Michigan University before transferring to Cleveland State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Political Science. Seren earned a Master of Science degree in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University's Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. [2]

Career

In 2007, Seren worked as a communications coordinator for Policy Matters Ohio, a non-profit policy research institute. In 2011, Seren entered public service as a Policy Advisor to the newly established Cuyahoga County Council, the legislative authority of the county government, after a public corruption scandal in Cuyahoga County government [9] [10] and subsequent restructuring of County Government. [11] [12] [13] Until 2022, Seren primarily advised on matters related to economic development, community development, workforce development, and education, serving as a Policy Advisor to County Council. [2]

Cleveland Heights City Council

Seren entered elective office in February 2015, appointed to an unexpired term on Cleveland Heights City Council, [14] filling a vacancy when former Council member Janine Boyd won a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. [15] Seren ran to keep the seat in November 2015, [16] winning his first four-year term. In November 2019, Seren successfully sought reelection to Cleveland Heights City Council, winning a second term beginning January 2020, at which time the Council selected him to be Vice Mayor and Vice President of Council. [17]

Mayor of Cleveland Heights

Election

On January 25, 2021, Seren announced his candidacy in the City of Cleveland Heights' first mayoral election, [18] [19] which was to be held later that year.

In the September 14, 2021, primary election, Seren placed second out of three candidates, receiving 2,587 votes (37.62%) behind Barbara Danforth, who led with 3,158 votes (45.92%). [20] [21] Danforth and Seren both advanced to the general election.

On November 2, 2021, Seren won the general election for Mayor of Cleveland Heights with 6,899 votes (60.51%) to Danforth’s 4,502 votes (39.49%). [1]

Tenure

2022

Seren took office as Cleveland Heights' first directly elected strong mayor on January 1, 2022. [22]

2024

In June 2024, multiple formal complaints were filed against Cain Park General Manager Ian Hinz, alleging a pattern of verbal abuse, intimidation, and retaliatory behavior toward staff. A city-commissioned investigation found that Hinz had violated city policies by creating a hostile work environment, including yelling at employees, pounding his fists during meetings, and removing office doors. [23] The final report concluded that Hinz's behavior posed a risk of “morale issues, disruption, and potential liability if unaddressed.” City staff recommended a suspension, anger management training, performance improvement plan, and demotion or reassignment to another role. In March 2025, Seren approved some of the disciplinary actions but declined to demote or reassign Hinz. [23]

On December 6, 2024, Seren’s wife, Natalie McDaniel, allegedly pounded on a glass partition and shouted profanities at staff in the mayor’s wing, according to police documentation and internal accounts. The city has declined to release body camera footage from an officer present during the incident. [24] [25] The event not addressed publicly at the time; the event was later referenced in internal complaints and contributed to allegations of a hostile work environment involving McDaniel.

Later that month, City Council passed a temporary three-month budget for the first quarter of 2025—an unprecedented move in Cleveland Heights. Councilmembers cited the absence of a permanent finance director, missing salary and labor cost data, and a lack of key documentation in the administration’s proposed budget. [26]

2025

In March 2025, City Administrator Dan Horrigan resigned after less than three months in office. In emails and interviews, Horrigan cited the conduct of Seren’s wife, Natalie McDaniel, as contributing to an “untenable, improper, and unethical” work environment. [27] Horrigan’s resignation followed a March 13 incident involving McDaniel and Andrea Heim, the city's human resources organizational performance manager. In emails to human resources and Seren, Heim alleged that McDaniel had repeatedly disrupted the workplace with profane outbursts and created an unsafe environment. Seren placed Heim on leave and Heim resigned soon after. [28] [29]

Shortly after these resignations, Seren gave a public interview defending McDaniel’s presence in City Hall. He described her role as similar to that of a political spouse, calling her Cleveland Heights’ “first lady.” He denied she held any formal duties but acknowledged her presence in meetings and decision-making discussions. [27]

On March 18, 2025, City Council passed a full-year operating budget totaling $59.4 million in revenue and $58.2 million in expenditures.The revised budget included additional funding for capital projects, public safety, and programs not originally proposed by the mayor. Councilmembers commended the oversight process, while the mayor called for improved collaboration. [30]

In April 2025, City Council began formally evaluating the workplace climate by interviewing human resources consultants. Council President Tony Cuda and others raised questions about whether McDaniel had an office, directed staff, or accessed public systems using shared credentials. Legislation was introduced to limit keycard access to city buildings to official employees and vetted contractors. [29] Also in April, media reporting highlighted that at least a dozen senior staff had departed during Seren’s tenure, including three city administrators, multiple finance and recreation directors, and other department heads. [27]

At a council meeting in April, councilmembers questioned whether a $48,000 contract with political consulting firm Burges & Burges had been to conduct resident satisfaction surveys rather than consulting services, which Seren denied. [31]

Cleveland.com reported that the Seren administration had contacted the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office to ask whether a Cleveland Heights police officer could be charged with a felony for recording the December 6, 2024 incident involving McDaniel and an on-duty police officer inside City Hall. [24] The controversies around the administration's request and the allegations of a hostile work environment contributed to calls from residents and the editorial board of The Plain Dealer for Seren to resign. [32]

In June 2025, City Council passed a “no-confidence” resolution and the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections ruled that Seren had failed to submit the required number of valid petition signatures, disqualifying him from the 2025 mayoral ballot. [33] Seren had filed 492 signatures but the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections ruled on June 16, 2025 that only 303 were valid—short of the 342 required—thereby removing his name from the September primary. [7]

2025 recall effort

A recall effort gathered a total of 3,845 verified signatures from registered voters in Cleveland Heights and the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections validated the recall petition on June 25th and put in on the September 9th ballot. [6] [34]

On July 22nd, 2025 Seren attempted to veto his own recall, which the city law director found this untimely and unlawful. [7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Kahlil Seren elected as first mayor in history of Cleveland Heights". WKYC. November 3, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Kahlil Seren – LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  3. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2025/06/cleveland-heights-law-department-staffers-sought-criminal-probe-of-mayor-seren-accusing-him-of-secret-recording-attempt.html
  4. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2025/05/paint-your-house-buddy-police-called-after-tense-exchange-between-cleveland-heights-mayor-and-his-neighbor-a-judge.html
  5. https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2025/07/31/cleveland-heights-mayor-s-wife-detained-for-trespassing
  6. 1 2 "Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren responds to certified recall petition: 'Let the voters decide in November'". WKYC. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 Olivas, Kaylee (June 16, 2025). "Cleveland Heights mayor not eligible for re‑election". News 5 Cleveland. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  8. "Kahlil Seren". Ohio Mayors Alliance. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  9. "Crain's Cleveland Look Back: Cuyahoga County copes with corruption". Crain's Cleveland Business. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  10. Rachel Dissell, The Plain Dealer (September 15, 2010). "The Cuyahoga County corruption case: a who's who". cleveland. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  11. "Cuyahoga County Government Reform Initiative (2009)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  12. "Cuyahoga County residents push for government reform". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  13. Laura Johnston, cleveland com (October 24, 2009). "Issues 5 and 6: Experts sort out competing proposals for Cuyahoga County government reform". cleveland. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  14. Bremer Fisher, Deanna (February 18, 2015). "Kahlil Seren appointed to CH City Council - The Heights Observer". heightsobserver.org. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  15. Chanda Neely, cleveland com (November 6, 2014). "Cleveland Heights City Council to replace Janine Boyd, who won seat in Ohio House". cleveland. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  16. Bob, Sandrick (September 11, 2015). "Six will run for three Cleveland Heights Council seats". cleveland.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  17. Thomas, Jewell (January 7, 2020). "Cleveland Hts. council appoints its final mayor". cleveland.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  18. Allard, Sam. "Kahlil Seren Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Cleveland Heights". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  19. Thomas, Jewell (January 25, 2021). "Seren announces bid to become Cleveland Hts.' first elected mayor". cleveland.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  20. Toke, Colin (September 15, 2021). "Cuyahoga County primary election results for September 14, 2021". cleveland.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  21. Conn, Jennifer. "Danforth, Seren to face off in Cleveland Heights' mayoral race in November". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  22. Thomas, Jewell (January 4, 2022). "Seren sworn in as Cleveland Heights' first elected mayor". cleveland.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  23. 1 2 Oprea, Mark (April 18, 2025). "Cain Park Manager Suspended, Ordered to Take Anger Management Training Following Outbursts With Staff". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  24. 1 2 Shaffer, Cory (May 23, 2025). "Cleveland Heights asked county prosecutor whether cop who recorded mayor's wife's meltdown could be charged with felony, then hid the video". cleveland.com. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  25. Shaffer, Cory (May 15, 2025). "'That Jewish b---h': Cleveland Heights mayor's wife accused of antisemitic remarks in civil rights complaint". cleveland.com. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  26. McCray, Bryant (December 18, 2024). "Cleveland Heights approves temporary 3-month budget amid government infighting". WKYC. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  27. 1 2 3 Oprea, Mark (April 1, 2025). "Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren Defends Wife's Unofficial Role at City Hall Amid Rising Turmoil, Staff Departures". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  28. Oprea, Mark (April 30, 2025). "'F--- You, F--- You, F--- All of You': Outburst by Wife of Cleveland Heights Mayor Prompts Concern, Investigation". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  29. 1 2 Thomas, Jewell (April 21, 2025). "Cleveland Heights Council looks toward HR consultant to gauge city workplace hostility". cleveland.com. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  30. Thomas, Jewell (March 18, 2025). "Persistence pays off as Cleveland Heights Council passes 2025 budget". cleveland.com. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  31. Chilcote, Lee (April 7, 2025). "Mayor, council clash over allegations of hostile work environment". heightsobserver.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  32. "Editorial: The mayor of Cleveland Heights has failed. Kahlil Seren must resign". cleveland.com. May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  33. Shaffer, Cory (June 16, 2025). "Embattled Cleveland Heights mayor fails to qualify for re-election". Cleveland.com. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  34. "Cleveland Heights council puts mayor‑recall question on September ballot". WKYC. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 19, 2025.