June 16, 2020

S2 Ep40: That's So Cincinnati: Local TV veteran Courtis Fuller on 40 years of covering protests and the idea of possibly running for mayor again

1 hour 27 minutes

It's moments like this in our history when a journalist's experience, perspective and credibility are critical for viewers and readers.

WLWT-TV anchor and reporter Courtis Fuller has been a trusted voice for Greater Cincinnati for nearly four decades, and his institutional knowledge really pays off in major news events like the recent racial inequality protests.

He was on the streets covering the protests the past few weeks, just like he was in 2001 during the civil unrest in Cincinnati. And even then, Fuller had experience covering such an event, having started his career as a radio reporter in Milwaukee in the early 1980s.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Enquirer's That's So Cincinnati podcast this week, Fuller recalled covering protests in Milwaukee after 22-year-old Earnest Lacy died while in police custody.

"He died because a police officer put his knee on the back of his neck," Fuller said. "That's 1981. Up until now, it was the largest protest I had seen. People flooded the streets." The experience of covering "that is something I've carried with me over the years."

Fuller detailed the process of him going from covering the 2001 civil unrest for Channel 5 to running for mayor against Charlie Luken later that year.

"I'm doing great in my career," Fuller recalled. "I was the main anchor. I had just gotten married. Life is going pretty good."

He added: "I just didn't feel like I was doing enough personally."

Fuller won the primary, but lost in the general election. Will he consider running for mayor again in 2021?

Local political watchers have been wondering whether an African American candidate will get into the race against David Mann and P.G. Sittenfeld, who hasn't officially announced yet. Fuller has been mentioned as a potential candidate.

Fuller said "it's not something on the radar," but the Pittsburgh native didn't completely rule out the possibility of running again.

"It's an interesting question," Fuller said. "I love David Mann. I love P.G. I think they are good servants for the city. David knows the ends and outs of this town as well as anyone and is committed to all communities. Both of them are very, very good candidates. But you do wonder if now is that time. It was the same way in 2001. I believe that there probably will be an African American candidate that emerges."

Also on That's So Cincinnati, Fuller discussed the progress of the Cincinnati police department over the past 19 years and how he views the idea of "defund the police."

On the police progress:

"Fortunately for our department, when you step back and try to be as objective as possible, we are doing an amazing job compared to where we were in 2001. And when I hear what other departments are doing, I think, wow, Cincinnati really has made tremendous strides, thanks to the Collaborative Agreement. Could more be done? Oh, absolutely. I think the chief is sincere and folks working in the department are sincere that they want to be the best department they can be. They're willing to listen; willing to work with the community."

On "defund the police:"

"As soon as I heard the term 'defund' floated, you immediately think that's probably not the best choice of words to use. I believe people want reform. But to use the term 'defund,' that just shifts the conversation to ... are you going to get rid of the police department? I don't believe that is the overall goal. I do believe people want changes. And they want things very similar to what we've attempted to do here in Cincinnati."

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