Ed FitzGerald
OH-07 Democratic nominee?
$48.9K
MAY 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Commissioner
PartyDemocratic
Age57 years old (Jul 10, 1968)
GenderMale
LocationOhio
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BackgroundAttorney
EducationOhio State University (BA)
Notable personal detailsEdward O'Donnell FitzGerald is an American lawyer and politician who served as the first Cuyahoga County Executive (2011–2015) and previously was mayor of Lakewood, Ohio (2008–2011). He also worked as an FBI special agent and as an assistant prosecutor in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. In 2014, he was the Democratic nominee for governor of Ohio and later ran for Ohio's 7th congressional district in the 2026 cycle.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports refocusing Ohio’s tax code to benefit middle-class families and small businesses rather than wealthier taxpayers and large corporations; has criticized tax cuts that disproportionately help the wealthy and has proposed targeted taxes (for example a severance-style approach for oil and gas tied to in-state hiring) while emphasizing restoring local government funding.
Healthcare
Supports expanding Medicaid and broader access to health care through government programs; has advocated restoring funding for mental health and opposed cuts that would reduce services not covered by Medicaid. Emphasizes use of state mechanisms to expand coverage and protect public health services.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate frames immigration as an economic opportunity and has supported measures to embrace international immigration to help population and economic growth; as county executive he noted international immigration contributed to population gains in Cuyahoga County. Statements emphasize welcoming and economic-integration framing rather than enforcement-first policies.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate identifies as pro-choice and has supported broad access to abortion and reproductive healthcare. His past campaigns received endorsement from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio and he described himself as 100% pro-choice.
Climate & Energy
Supports investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy development, and creating green jobs through county and regional initiatives; endorses sustainability programs and collaboration on Lake Erie water and environmental issues. Positions emphasize clean energy incentives and efficiency rather than phasing out fossil fuels immediately.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded gun-safety measures including universal background checks, mental-health reporting, and community safety-lock initiatives while not calling for broad bans on firearms.
News
Ed FitzGerald is one of the leading Democrats in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District primary, which is drawing heavy outside spending. The race is getting extra attention because Democrats see the district as potentially competitive in November. FitzGerald and Brian Poindexter are the top fundraisers in a crowded field of eight Democrats.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements