District: OH-07
Cook Political Ranking: Toss Up
Performance Voter Index: R+5
Brian Poindexter is a City Councilmember running for Congress to try to flip Ohio’s 7th congressional district blue. He has been a Brook Park City Councilmember since his election in 2017. During his time on the council, Poindexter has been a steadfast advocate for working families—opposing “Right to Work” laws and school choice vouchers while supporting the postal system and public schools. Poindexter comes from a working-class family, and throughout his adolescence he worked several blue-collar jobs including working in kitchens and factories, driving tow motors, plating, and powder coating. Since 2007, Poindexter has been a proud union Ironworker. He worked his way through the apprenticeship program while simultaneously earning an Associate Degree in Applied Industrial Technology from Cuyahoga Community College. After graduating, he spent two years as a union organizer, fighting to bring the benefits of union membership to others who were struggling without representation. He returned to the field in 2014 to run some of the region’s most complex jobs, including the Lumen at Playhouse Square, the Headframe at Morton’s Salt, and critical infrastructure at NASA Glenn Research Center. Today, he serves as an apprenticeship instructor at Ironworkers Local 17, passing these skills on to the next generation. Poindexter is now running for the U.S. House in Ohio because he thinks that “working people deserve real representation — not empty promises”.

Ohio’s 7th Congressional District is based in the northeastern section of the state, including southern and western Cuyahoga County, all of Medina and Wayne Counties, and a sliver of northern Holmes County. Ahead of the 2026 race, state lawmakers were required by law to redraw Ohio’s congressional districts ahead of the midterm elections. This district, however, did not change under the redistricting process. This district is currently held by GOP Rep. Max Miller. In 2024, President Trump won this district by 10 points. In 2024, the race for OH-07 saw very little in outside spending, with Democratic candidate Matthew Diemer raising $86,340 and Rep. Miller raising $1.9 million. In 2026, Poindexter is challenging Rep. Miller, and the DCCC has included OH-07 in its Districts in Play program. V4P PAC has not yet endorsed in this race.