News

Historic Night for Working Families and the Cleveland Labor Movement

PRESS RELEASE
Social share icons

Fifteen union members and union spouses win; Cuyahoga County sends more union members to the Ohio General Assembly than any county in the nation

CLEVELAND, OHIO – Ohio made history Tuesday night by electing its first woman governor, and working people across Northeast Ohio sent a clear message that we deserve a seat at the table. Fifteen union members and union spouses won their election, including Iron Worker Brian Poindexter to U.S. Congress and six to the Ohio General Assembly, more than any county in the nation.
 

We finally shifted the balance of power in this state back in favor of working people,” said North Shore AFL-CIO Executive Secretary Brian Pearson. “Working people made this happen. We showed what’s possible when working people come together in solidarity, organize, get involved, and step up to lead. Far too often, decisions are made that affect working people without working people in the room. We’re changing that here. We’re building a labor movement that elects leaders from our own ranks and brings working people to the table. The results across our region and throughout Ohio show that when working people have a seat at the table, we can change the direction of our state.

The victories bring the number of union members holding elected office in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties to more than 40. 

These victories didn’t happen overnight. Year-round political organizing is a cornerstone of our work in Greater Cleveland,” said North Shore AFL-CIO Political Director Rebecca Gorski. “Our work culminated in an extraordinary effort beginning in August, with union members knocking on more than 50,000 doors at union households across our three counties and talking with fellow union members about the importance of making their voices heard.”

STATEWIDE VICTORIES

At the top of the ticket, Dr. Amy Acton secured a major victory over anti-union Vivek Ramaswamy. Labor's longtime friend, Sherrod Brown, will return to the United States Senate, defeating incumbent Sen. Jon Husted, whose voting record earned a 0% lifetime rating from the AFL-CIO during his time in Washington. Other statewide races for AFL-CIO-endorsed candidates have not yet been called. 

A UNION MEMBER HEADS TO CONGRESS

Ironworkers Local 17 member Brian Poindexter won a hard-fought victory in Ohio's 7th Congressional District, defeating incumbent Rep. Max Miller. A 20-year ironworker, former apprentice training coordinator, and Brook Park City Councilman, Poindexter emerged from a field of seven challengers in the primary to become the centerpiece of the Federation's Labor Slate.

Rep. Shontel Brown, a strong supporter of organized labor, also secured re-election in Ohio's 11th Congressional District.

HISTORIC REPRESENTATION IN THE OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The labor movement made significant gains in the Ohio Statehouse, with six union members securing seats in the Ohio General Assembly.

Reps. Sean Brennan (OEA) and Dan Troy (SMART) won re-election in Districts 14 and 23, respectively. Four additional union members will join them:

  • Scott DiMauro (OEA) in District 16
  • Davida Russell (OAPSE) in District 18
  • Nicole Sigurdson (SEIU) in District 19
  • Eugene Miller (AFT) in District 20

With these victories, Cuyahoga County will have more union members serving in the Ohio General Assembly than any other county in the nation.

Other key labor-endorsed allies also secured victories, including Rep. Tristan Rader (District 13), a member of the House Labor and Commerce Committee; union household member Rep. Chris Glassburn (District 15); Rep. Eric Synenberg (District 21); Rep. Darnell Brewer (District 22); and Samantha Salaman (District 35). Megan Coy (District 17) won in a critical race against Mike Dovilla.

In the Ohio Senate, labor ally Sen. Kent Smith won convincingly. Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney was elected to the Senate and will move from the Ohio House to the upper chamber, and Mike Roberto won his race in District 27.

GROWING LABOR'S VOICE IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Union members and their household members also made significant gains on Cuyahoga County Council:

  • Patrick Kelly (FOP) won re-election in District 1
  • Meredith Turner (AFT) in District 9
  • Christine McIntosh (OEA household) won in District 11 as a newcomer 
  • Courtney Scheff (NTEU Household) scored a stunning upset over a four-term incumbent in District 5.
  • Marty Sweeney won a second term representing District 3. 

Chris Ronayne, who ran unopposed, was also endorsed by the Federation.

A CLEAN SWEEP FOR LABOR-ENDORSED JUDICIAL CANDIDATES

All seven candidates endorsed by the North Shore AFL-CIO for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas won.

Winners include AFSCME members Darryl Dennie and Jennifer O'Donnell, along with Kira Krivosh, Fallon Radigan, Diane Russell, and William Vodrey, who won seats in the court's General Division. Outgoing County Councilwoman Sunny Simon also won election to the Domestic Relations Division.

VOTERS SUPPORT KEY BALLOT ISSUES

Both labor-endorsed ballot issues, Issues 10 and 11, passed, delivering additional victories for working families.

The North Shore AFL-CIO congratulates all of tonight's winners and thanks the thousands of union members, volunteers, and supporters who helped make these victories possible.