Nicole Sigurdson, a union organizer with the backing of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, defeated two opponents in Tuesday’s primary. The Cleveland resident will face Republican Ed Hargate in November. 

The district includes Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood and all or portions of a string of eastern and southeastern suburbs, including Solon and Pepper Pike. 

Sigurdson, who works for SEIU District 1199, campaigned around workers’ rights, including increasing the minimum wage, protecting the environment and the need to be more “caring about people.”

She defeated Dionna M. Gore of Solon, who works for Medical Mutual and was backed by the district’s incumbent, Phillip Robinson Jr. of Solon, who is term-limited. Sigurdson also beat Cheryl Perez, a small business owner from Brecksville, who was endorsed by Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer. 

During the campaign Sigurdson received criticism from some fellow party members and others for a comment she made on social media in 2025 about the Israel-Hamas war. Her comment – which she has since deleted – especially stood out because her district includes communities with sizable Jewish populations, including Solon and Pepper Pike. 

In the post, Sigurdson shared an image of the Palestinian flag that read, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” It’s a slogan used by pro-Palestinian activists as a call for freedom. Others, including many Jewish groups, view it as a call to eliminate the state of Israel. Some terrorist groups have used the slogan. Sigurdson posted a video earlier this year apologizing for the post. 

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Apology for antisemitism in Ohio House race

Nicole Sigurdson, the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate for Ohio House District 19, apologized for an earlier social media post about the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza that she now disavows. 

by Mark Naymik

Editor-At-Large
I assist a team of storytellers pursuing original enterprise and investigative stories that capture untold narratives about people and policies in Greater Cleveland. I also use my decades of experience in print, digital and broadcast media to help Signal team members build skills to present stories in useful and interesting ways.