Nov 4, 2026 - Politics

Scheff victory means no more County Council Republicans

Sam Allard

Portrait of a smiling woman with straight brown hair, wearing a navy blazer over a white polka-dot blouse and silver drop earrings, posed against a dark textured gray backdrop. — Courtney Scheff won the Cuyahoga County Council District 5 race. Photo: Courtesy of Brenda Bucci

Democrat Courtney Scheff's victory over longtime Republican incumbent Mike Gallagher on Tuesday completed her party's sweep of Cuyahoga County Council amid a statewide blue wave.

Why it matters: Gallagher was the last Republican on the 11-member council, and his defeat creates an entirely Democratic body for the first time since the county adopted charter government in 2010.

By the numbers: Scheff earned nearly 53% of the vote, once all precincts were tabulated by the county board of elections Wednesday morning.

The big picture: Scheff, a former prosecutor and Navy attorney, built her political reputation helping Democrats oust Republican incumbents from North Royalton's school board and City Council.

Her victory extends that upstart success across District 5, which includes the GOP bastion of Strongsville along with North Royalton, Berea, Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township.

The intrigue: County Executive Chris Ronayne actively campaigned for Scheff, calling Gallagher a "captain of chaos" at a fundraiser this summer after years of clashes over spending, the county jail and other priorities.

What they're saying: Gallagher congratulated Scheff in a brief concession statement that offered his condolences to North Royalton firefighter Ryan Milligan, who died in the line of duty this week.

Between the lines: An all-Democrat council doesn't necessarily mean smooth sailing for Ronayne, who has repeatedly clashed with Democratic members over county spending and executive authority.

But it does eliminate the biggest thorn in his side.

Add Axios on Google

Scheff victory means no more County Council Republicans

More Cleveland stories