Kahlil Seren

Kahlil Seren (born October 17, 1978) is an American politician, former local-government adviser, and the first directly elected Mayor of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Before becoming mayor, Seren spent ten years as a policy adviser to Cuyahoga County Council and served six years on Cleveland Heights City Council. Seren’s tenure has been marred by a series of workplace-culture controversies, staff resignations, and allegations that his spouse, Natalie McDaniel, exerted improper influence at City Hall and used antisemitic language. In June 2025, amid multiple investigations and after City Council passed a “no-confidence” resolution, 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.

Seren took office as Cleveland Heights' first directly elected strong mayor on January 1, 2022. Since taking office, Seren’s administration has been marked by both significant structural changes to city governance and growing controversy related to personnel turnover and allegations involving the role of his wife, Natalie McDaniel, at City Hall. In 2025, a civil rights complaint filed by a former staff member accused McDaniel of antisemitic remarks and contributing to a hostile work environment, raising concerns about informal influence within the administration.