CLEVELAND -- Cleveland is nine months away from a mayoral election, but Mayor Frank Jackson already has a challenger.

The challenge comes from a southeast Cleveland woman who shuns the label "politician."Kimberly Brown officially announced her candidacy Tuesday night at a gathering in Warrensville Heights.

Brown said she was a social worker able to address the needs of the people because of what she called her "compassion," something she said Cleveland needs.

"The reason why the city is failing is because there is lack of, or no, compassion," Brown said. "People at this particular time, they don't trust our current leaders and they need to be inspired with a hope and gratitude once again. And I think I'm the person to bring that to the forefront."

Brown said as a social worker for 22 years, she helped families go from "poor to prosperity."

As for why she chose a Warrensville Heights restaurant to make her Cleveland announcement, Brown said she is close friends with the restaurant owner.

Brown labeled Cleveland as in a state of emergency and contends that she understands the city's problems.