Two Women Challenge Cuyahoga Councilman for Seat, Pushing for Change

Anise Mayo and Stephanie Thomas are running against incumbent Martin J. Sweeney, focusing on affordable housing, public health, and county spending priorities.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:39pm

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Two progressive Democratic candidates, Anise Mayo and Stephanie K. Thomas, are challenging incumbent County Councilman Martin J. Sweeney for the District 3 seat in the upcoming May 5 primary. The challengers are centering their campaigns on issues like rising housing costs, high property taxes, and the need for greater public health services, while also criticizing the county's spending priorities, including plans for a new billion-dollar jail and perceived handouts to local billionaire sports team owners.

Why it matters

The race for the Cuyahoga County Council District 3 seat represents a potential shift in the county's political landscape, as the two challengers are pushing for a more progressive agenda that prioritizes the everyday concerns of residents over what they see as the county leadership's out-of-touch priorities.

The details

Mayo, a registered nurse focused on community health, is calling for greater transparency and public input in county spending, and is critical of the plans for a $1 billion jail and what she considers handouts to area billionaires. Thomas, a trained architect and co-founder of a housing nonprofit, is focusing her platform on affordable housing, increasing homeownership, and protecting workers' rights. Both candidates say they decided to run after feeling their concerns were dismissed by the incumbent, Sweeney.

  • The primary election for the Cuyahoga County Council District 3 seat is scheduled for May 5, 2026.

The players

Anise Mayo

A registered nurse whose career has focused on community health, Mayo is running to make government work better for residents and is critical of the county's spending priorities.

Stephanie K. Thomas

A trained architect who now serves as co-founder and President of Shelter the People Cleveland, a housing nonprofit serving the LGBTQ community, Thomas is pushing for rent control, greater accountability for landlords, and expanded access to mental health services.

Martin J. Sweeney

The incumbent County Councilman for District 3, Sweeney says he is staying focused on his campaign and driving legislation that benefits neighborhoods across the district.

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What they’re saying

“I want to bridge the divide between elected officials and the people.”

— Stephanie K. Thomas (Stephanie K. Thomas campaign website)

“As your district representative I may only be one voice, but I will be the loudest voice in the room advocating for you.”

— Anise Mayo (Anise Mayo campaign website)

“I'm staying focused on my campaign and driving legislation that benefits neighborhoods across District 3.”

— Martin J. Sweeney, County Councilman (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The primary election for the Cuyahoga County Council District 3 seat is scheduled for May 5, 2026, where voters will decide between the incumbent Martin J. Sweeney and the two challengers, Anise Mayo and Stephanie K. Thomas.

The takeaway

The race for the Cuyahoga County Council District 3 seat highlights the growing divide between the county's political establishment and some residents who feel their concerns have been overlooked, with the two challengers offering a more progressive vision focused on issues like affordable housing, public health, and government accountability.