Brian Poindexter
Brian Poindexter | |
|---|---|
 Poindexter in 2026 | |
| Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 7th district | |
| Assuming office January 3, 2027 | |
| Succeeding | Max Miller |
| Member of Brook Park City Council from the At-Large district | |
| Assumed office January 2018 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Brian Keith Poindexter August 4, 1979 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Cuyahoga Community College (AS) |
| Website | poindexterforcongress |
Brian Keith Poindexter (born August 4, 1979) is an American politician who is the member-elect to the United States House of Representatives for Ohio's 7th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as a city councilmember in Brook Park since 2018.
Early life and career
Poindexter was born on August 4, 1979, in Cleveland, Ohio. His father Bob was a union machinist, while his mother stayed at home. He has five siblings. His grandfather was an autoworker. In high school, Poindexter played on the school football, baseball and wrestling teams as well as working at a machine shop. During his teenage years, Poindexter accrued several misdemeanor charges for public intoxication, speeding and assault, the latter of which being the result of an incident where Poindexter and his friends had a fight with "some other dudes" at a beach in Cleveland.
After graduating high school, Poindexter obtained a Class A commercial driver's license and began working in the moving industry, where he travelled across the whole of the continental United States. In 2007, he joined the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers and began an apprenticeship in ironworking while completing an associate degree in applied industrial technology at Cuyahoga Community College.
From 2012 to 2014, Poindexter served as a union organizer. In 2014, he re-entered the workforce as an ironworker and worked on several projects over the next few years including The Lumen and NASA Glenn Research Center. He was an apprentice instructor at Ironworks Local 17 until May 2026.
Poindexter was elected to the at-large district of the city council of Brook Park, Ohio in 2017 and he began his term in January 2018. He was re-elected for five terms and his final term will end in January 2027.
U.S. House of Representatives
In January 2026, Poindexter announced his candidacy for the Democratic Party nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives for Ohio's 7th congressional district. He won the nomination in the primary election in May with 37% of the vote, while second-place finisher Ed FitzGerald, former Cuyahoga county executive, earned 22%. Poindexter defeated Max Miller in the November general election.
Personal life
Poindexter and his now ex-wife have three daughters together. He is a fan of the Cleveland Browns and was once arrested at a Browns game for fighting with a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Davies, Emily (August 8, 2026). "Amid Abuse Claims Against Max Miller, This Democrat Thinks He Can Win His Seat". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Sainato, Michael (April 18, 2026). "An iron worker takes on one of Trump's most loyal followers in Congress". The Guardian. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Poindexter, Brian (2026). "Brian's Working-Class Story". Brian Poindexter for Congress. Retrieved November 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "WFP Endorses Brian Poindexter in OH-07". Working Families Party. April 20, 2026. Retrieved November 4, 2026.
- ↑ Leigh, Harri (September 4, 2026). "Brian Poindexter's balancing act in race reshaped by Max Miller scandal". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved November 4, 2026.
- ↑ Zurick, Maura (January 27, 2026). "From Brook Park City Hall to Capitol Hill: Brian Poindexter outlines vision for congressional race". Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
- ↑ Eaton, Sabrina (May 6, 2026). "Brian Poindexter wins Ohio's 7th District Dem primary, incumbents Joyce, Brown fend off challengers". Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
- ↑ Eaton, Sabrina (November 4, 2026). "Brian Poindexter flips Trump-leaning Ohio district, ousting U.S. Rep. Max Miller". cleveland.com. Retrieved November 4, 2026.
- ↑ Zimmermann, David (September 1, 2026). "Max Miller's Democratic opponent spotlights daughters in campaign ad". Washington Examiner. Retrieved November 4, 2026.