Councilwoman Jasmin Santana Appointed as Majority Leader

Oct 15, 2025

Councilwoman Jasmin Santana made history and extended her string of firsts on the Cleveland City Council when she assumed the Majority Leader position —the first Latina to serve in this role. She replaced former Majority Leader Councilman Kerry McCormack, who recently resigned from City Council.

Councilwoman Santana currently represents Ward 14, which comprises Clark-Fulton, Stockyards, and portions of Brooklyn Centre and Tremont neighborhoods. She was elected in 2017, becoming the first Latina elected to City Council in the city’s history. She was reelected in 2021.

Councilwoman Santana is humbled and excited to take on the new leadership role. In discussing her appointment, she stated, “I am deeply honored by this appointment and grateful for the trust placed in me by Council President Griffin. My commitment to the residents of Ward 14 remains as strong as ever, and I will continue to fight to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met. Now, in this expanded role, I look forward to working hand-in-hand with President Griffin and my colleagues to improve Cleveland altogether and build a safer, stronger, more equitable future for every neighborhood.”

Council President Griffin shared, “This is a pivotal moment for Cleveland, and I have complete confidence in Majority Leader Santana to help us navigate the complex challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Her track record of leadership and community advocacy is undeniable. I will be relying on her deeply for her perspective and commitment as we make critical decisions for the future of Cleveland that will benefit all of our residents.”

Prior to becoming Majority Leader, Councilwoman Santana served as City Council’s Minority Whip beginning in 2021. In May 2025, she became the first Latina to preside over a Cleveland City Council meeting.

Councilwoman Santana serves on four Council committees—as Chair of Workforce, Education, Training & Youth Development; Vice Chair of the Development, Planning and Sustainability; and Vice-Chair of Finance Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; and member of Transportation & Mobility. She also serves as the Council’s representative on the city’s Community Relations Board.

Before her election to Cleveland City Council, she worked as an outreach coordinator with the non-profit Hispanic Alliance, focusing on public safety, lead abatement, and various social issues. Prior to that, she worked for MetroHealth Medical Center, promoting health and nutrition education in the Hispanic community. While at MetroHealth, she helped develop the first grassroots Latina breast cancer education program in Northeast Ohio.

Councilwoman Santana has served as a trustee for a number of non-profit or social service agencies, including the Northeast Ohio Association for Hispanic Health and the May Dugan Community Center.

Councilwoman Santana lives on the near-west side and is the proud mother of a recent John Carroll University (JCU) graduate and a 2026 JCU candidate for graduation.