North Shore AFL-CIO Helps Deliver Big Wins for Working People in Primary Election

Northeast Ohio’s labor movement delivered a powerful showing in yesterday’s primary election, securing key victories up and down the ballot and positioning union members and labor allies for success in the November general election.

At the top of the ticket, Brian Poindexter, an Ironworkers Local 17 member, secured a decisive victory in a crowded Democratic primary for Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, defeating seven other candidates. Poindexter now advances to face incumbent Max Miller in the fall. Miller, who holds a 14% lifetime voting record with the AFL-CIO, notably voted against restoring collective bargaining rights for federal workers—rights stripped during the Trump administration—setting up a clear contrast for working voters this November.

Historic Statehouse Victories

The primary also delivered a historic milestone: five endorsed union members winning their primaries for the Ohio House. With favorable district compositions, all five are well-positioned heading into November—an achievement unmatched anywhere in the country. Among those victories, OAPSE Northeast District President Davida Russell won a competitive four-way primary in House District 18, while SEIU District 1199 organizer Nicole Sigurdson prevailed in a three-way race in House District 19.

This is what it looks like when working people step up to lead and the labor movement stands with them,” said Political Director Rebecca Gorski. “These victories didn’t happen by accident—they’re the result of disciplined organizing, strong partnerships, and a clear commitment to building power for workers across Northeast Ohio.

Three additional union members secured uncontested victories for the Ohio House, including Rep. Sean Brennan, a former member of the Ohio Education Association in District 14, former OEA President Scott DiMauro in House District 16, and former Sheet Metal Worker Local 33 member Rep. Dan Troy in District 23.

Labor also secured a key victory in the Ohio Senate, with Kent Smith prevailing in the contested Democratic primary for State Senate District 21. Several other labor-endorsed candidates advanced without opposition, including Bride Sweeney (Senate District 23), Tristan Rader (House District 13), Chris Glassburn (House District 15), Eric Synenberg (House District 21), and Darnell Brewer (House District 22).

County and Judicial Victories

Labor’s strength extended into county and judicial races. Judge Jennifer O’Donnell, a former AFSCME Local 3631 member, and current Local 3631 member Daryl Dennie both won uncontested races for the Court of Common Pleas. Additional victories included Kira Krivosh, Fallon Radigan, Diane Russell, and Sunny Simon for Domestic Relations Court. William Vodrey secured a win in his contested race for Court of Common Pleas.

On the county level, Patrick Kelly, a former FOP member, won for Cuyahoga County Council District 1, and Courtney Scheff, who comes from an NTEU household, won in District 5. Meredith Turner, a former CTU member, was victorious in District 9, while Marty Sweeney secured a contested win in District 3. Chris Ronayne also advanced, uncontested, for Cuyahoga County Executive.

Statewide and Congressional Wins

Additional victories included Congresswoman Shontel Brown in the 11th Congressional District. At the statewide level, Amy Acton advanced in the race for governor, alongside Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate, Jennifer Brunner and Marilyn Zayas for the Ohio Supreme Court, and John Kulewicz, who won a contested primary for Attorney General.

(Statehouse and statewide races are recommended by the North Shore AFL-CIO and formally endorsed by the Ohio AFL-CIO.)

Building Labor Power Inside the Democratic Party

Union members also made major gains within the Democratic Party itself, winning dozens of seats on the Democratic Party Central Committee across Cuyahoga County.

A total of 64 new union members were elected to Central Committee positions, bringing labor’s overall strength on the committee to 165 union members countywide. The results reflect a growing effort by organized labor to build political power not only at the ballot box, but within the local party structure itself.

The gains were especially significant in several key communities. In Cleveland’s Ward 4, union members now hold 10 of the ward’s 16 precinct committee seats. In Parma Heights, half of all Central Committee positions are now represented by union members. Labor also secured five new committee seats in Cleveland’s Ward 8 and eight new seats in North Royalton.

These victories strengthen the voice of working people inside the Democratic Party and help ensure that labor remains organized, engaged, and influential in the political process year-round—not just during election season.

Looking Ahead

The candidates elected to Central Committee will immediately begin serving within the local Democratic Party structure, while all other candidates now advance to the November general election. In many statehouse and county-level races, the political makeup of the districts strongly favors our endorsed candidates—putting working people in a strong position to expand their voice in government.

Thank you to everyone who worked hard on these campaigns. These victories are an important first step, but the real work starts now,” said Executive Secretary Brian Pearson. “Winning in November will take continued organizing, volunteers knocking doors, phone calls, conversations with voters, and unions staying engaged in every community across Greater Cleveland and the state. What we built in this primary shows the strength of our movement—now we have to carry that momentum forward and deliver for working people in the fall.

This election made one thing clear: when organized labor mobilizes, we win. From the halls of Congress to county courthouses, working people are stepping up, running for office, and earning the trust of voters across Northeast Ohio.

The North Shore AFL-CIO is proud to stand alongside these candidates and will continue organizing, mobilizing, and building worker power to secure victories for working people in November and beyond.