Sharon Spruill

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Sharon Spruill

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

September 9, 2025

Education

High school

John Hay High School

Other

ICM School of Business, 1986

Personal

Birthplace

Cleveland, Ohio

Religion

Christian: Nondenominational

Profession

Advocate

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Sharon Spruill ran for election to the Cleveland City Council to represent Ward 3 in Ohio. She lost in the primary on September 9, 2025.

Spruill completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Sharon Spruill was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She earned a high school diploma from John Hay High School and graduated from the ICM School of Business in 1986. Her career experience includes working in healthcare, auto insurance, life insurance, and social services.

Spruill has been affiliated with the following organizations:

• John Hay High School Alumni Association
• Cleveland Leadership Center
• Civic Engagement Collaborative
• Tarajia Resilience
• Organizers & Allies Cleveland

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Cleveland, Ohio (2025)

General election

General election for Cleveland City Council Ward 3

Incumbent Deborah Gray, Erich Stubbs, LaShorn Caldwell, Ras Olugbenga, and Dontez Taylor are running in the general election for Cleveland City Council Ward 3 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Deborah Gray (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Erich Stubbs (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	LaShorn Caldwell (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)
	Submit photo	Ras Olugbenga (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)
	Submit photo	Dontez Taylor (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Cleveland City Council Ward 3

Incumbent Deborah Gray and Erich Stubbs defeated Sharon Spruill in the primary for Cleveland City Council Ward 3 on September 9, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Deborah Gray (Nonpartisan)	73.0	654
✔	Submit photo	Erich Stubbs (Nonpartisan)	14.4	129
		Sharon Spruill (Nonpartisan)	12.6	113

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 896
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Sharon Spruill completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Spruill's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Sharon Spruill is a dedicated community advocate with a passion for promoting social justice, equity and sustainable development.

With over 20 years of experience in grassroots organizing and community engagement, Sharon has successfully championed initiatives that empower marginalized voices and foster inclusive community development. Throughout her career, Sharon has collaborated with diverse stakeholders, including local government agencies, non-profit organizations and community members, to address pressing social issues such as affordable housing, civic education and services that support women and children in crisis.

Sharon received post-secondary training through ICM School of Business in Secretarial Science with a concentration in Business Administration. Sharon is recognized for her exceptional communication skills, empathy, organizational abilities, curiosity, patience, and cultural competence, which have enabled her to mobilize community members and advocate for meaningful change effectively.

When not advocating for the community, Sharon enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family. She is a mother and grandmother. Deeply rooted in faith, she is a member of The Word Church, and she is an entrepreneur with a small business.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• My commitment to the residents of Ward 3 starts with community engagement and advocacy. I will actively engage with our community, listen to your concerns and advocate for your needs. Through my work with community development corporations, I've seen firsthand that real change comes from understanding the voices of those I represent. As your representative, I will prioritize open communication and collaboration ensuring that every single resident of Ward 3 feels heard, valued and empowered. Your voice matters, and I will be listening.
• I am deeply committed to improving opportunities for our youth, recognizing they are not just our future, but the leaders of tomorrow. My initiatives will focus on enhancing educational resources, creating vital job training programs, and fostering mentorship opportunities that empower the next generation. We will equip our young people with the tools they need to succeed and to overcome the challenges they face in our community, because their success is our success.
• Lastly, I have a clear vision for sustainable urban development - a vision that strikes balance between economic growth, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. I will work to promote reasonable development projects, invest in green spaces that will enhance our quality of life, and ensure that our neighborhoods are not only safe but are truly vibrant and inclusive for every resident.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm deeply passionate about public policy when it comes to community development, public safety and economic sustainability.

Building strong, vibrant communities fosters connection and growth, making a positive impact on everyone's lives. Ensuring a safe environment is crucial for peace of mind and quality of life, we need to create trust and security for our neighborhoods and lastly, promoting practices that support long-term economic health ensures that resources are available for generations to come, benefiting both the community and the economy.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The office of city council holds several distinctive qualities that make it a vital component of state government and the legal system which include local representation, legislative authority, budgetary control, community engagement and problem-solving.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my parents who are both now deceased. My mother grew up as the daughter of sharecroppers, while my father's family own land in rural Alabama and dedicated themselves to being pastors and educators. I was fortunate to have an upbring rich in faith, resilience respect, and determination. Southern values have profoundly influenced me, teaching me the importance of making the world a better place than I found it and treating others as I would like to be treated. I've learned that everyone has something valuable to contribute.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Contemporary Servant as leader - Robert K Greenleaf and Community Engagement Leadership - Unleashing the Power Within - Dawn Glasco

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The essential traits for an elected official include compassion, communication, collaboration, commitment and courage.

It is vital to genuinely care for the community you serve, meeting people where they are in their lives.

Effective dialogue is key to voicing your constituents'' concerns and connecting with them.

Building bridges and working together with everyone, regardless of their stance, is crucial for progress.

In the work of an elected official, it takes bravery to make tough decisions knowing not everyone will agree. Every day, you must embrace your role as a representative of the people.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the core responsibilities for someone elected to a city council seat are communicating with the residents in your ward, through phone calls, emails and meetings. Frequent communication helps elected officials stay updated on citizens' concerns.

Legislation proposals, council members propose or introduce legislation which will either pass into laws or decline. Council members also work with citizens to pass certain laws or city ordinances.

City council members update city charters. Council members attend board meetings to discuss city policies, make changes to current laws and introduce new legislation.

City council members are the representation or spokesperson for their particular wards. They are responsible for working on behalf of their constituents.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first unofficial job involved handing out flyers for my dad, who served as the president of our street club, and I earned a small fee for my efforts. My first official job was at Snikerfritz Art Gallery, where I took on the responsibility of stuffing envelopes and mailing them to the gallery's supporters.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

How Will You Remember Me - Avery Sunshine

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

City government has the authority to enact regulations that protect public health, safety and welfare. this power extends to regulating businesses within their jurisdiction

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I think it's advantageous for someone in city council to possess a fundamental understanding of government and politics, but prior work experience isn't a must. Many individuals who pursue these positions are motivated by a desire to engage more deeply in their communities and address unmet needs or concerns

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

I believe strong communication skills and interpersonal skills are essential to engage with diverse communities. Leadership abilities to inspire community support, and analytical skill to assess policies and budgetary impacts,

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

The office of city council holds several distinctive qualities that make it a vital component of local government and the legal system which include local representation, legislative authority, budgetary control, community engagement and problem-solving.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are vital in order to gain the trust of constituents.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Cleveland City Council Ward 3

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