{{Short description|American politician (born 1968)}} {{About|the Ohio politician|the baseball player|Ed Fitz Gerald|other people|Edward Fitzgerald (disambiguation){{!}}Edward Fitzgerald}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Ed FitzGerald |image = Ed FitzGerald.jpg |caption = FitzGerald in 2013 |office = 1st Executive of Cuyahoga County |term_start = January 9, 2011 |term_end = January 1, 2015 |predecessor = Position established |successor = Armond Budish |office1 = Mayor of Lakewood, Ohio |term_start1 = 2008 |term_end1 = 2011 |predecessor1 = Thomas George |successor1 = Michael Summers |birth_name = Edward FitzGerald |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|7|10}} |birth_place = |death_date = |death_place = |party = Democratic |spouse = Shannon FitzGerald |children = 4 |education = Indiana University, Bloomington (attended)<br>Ohio State University (BA)<br>Cleveland State University (JD) }} '''Edward FitzGerald''' (born July 10, 1968) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the first Cuyahoga County Executive from 2011 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the Democratic nominee in the 2014 Ohio gubernatorial election and a candidate for Ohio's 7th congressional district in the 2026 midterms. FitzGerald previously served as mayor and councilman of Lakewood, Ohio, and worked as an assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor and Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent.
==Early life and education== FitzGerald grew up in Indiana and graduated from high school there. He attended Indiana University Bloomington and later transferred to Ohio State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1990. He obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland–Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University in 1993. During this time, FitzGerald worked as a staff assistant for former U.S. Representative Edward F. Feighan and also served on the staff of Indiana secretary of state Evan Bayh.
==Career== In 1995, FitzGerald was commissioned as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was assigned to the Organized Crime Task Force in Chicago. He investigated political corruption and mafia influence in Cicero, Illinois.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gomez |first=Henry J. |date=May 26, 2013 |title=A closer look at Ed FitzGerald's FBI career |url=https://www.ohiodcca.org/a-closer-look-at-ed-fitzgeralds-fbi-career-2/ |access-date=November 24, 2024 |website=Ohio Democratic County Chairs Association}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2024 |title=Ed FitzGerald – NewDEAL |url=https://newdealleaders.org/leader/ed-fitzgerald/ |access-date=November 25, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1998, FitzGerald returned to the Cleveland area and later joined the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's office.
In 1999, he was appointed to the city council in Lakewood, Ohio, a position he held for nine years. In 2007, he was elected mayor of Lakewood. FitzGerald's administration focused on a community-policing initiative and recession-based financial issues similar to those faced by local governments throughout the country.
On November 3, 2009, the voters of Cuyahoga County, which includes Cleveland and 59 surrounding suburbs, authorized a new form of county government, in large part because of widespread scandal.<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarty|first=James|title=Federal prosecutors recommend Jimmy Dimora be sentenced to at least 22 years in prison|url=http://www.cleveland.com/countyincrisis/index.ssf/2012/07/federal_prosecutors_recommend.html|publisher=Cleveland Plain Dealer|access-date=July 23, 2012}}</ref> During the criminal investigation, FitzGerald was identified by the F.B.I. as P.O. 14 (Public Official number 14), but charges were never brought against FitzGerald. Under the new system, in 2010 FitzGerald defeated ten other candidates to become the first county executive of Cuyahoga County.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gomez|first=Henry|title=Cuyahoga County executive candidates share ideas for economic development at forum|url=http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2010/07/cuyahoga_county_executive_candidates_share_ideas_for_economic_development_at_forum.html|publisher=Cleveland Plain Dealer|access-date=July 28, 2010}}</ref>
Upon assuming office, FitzGerald spearheaded a long list of reforms under the general rubric of "The Western Reserve Plan."<ref>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Jay|title=Cuyahoga County exec FitzGerald looks to lead consolidation of gov't services|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120201/FREE/120139947|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120020518/http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120201/FREE/120139947|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 20, 2013|publisher=Crain's Cleveland Business|access-date=October 22, 2012}}</ref> Key components were a strict code of ethics monitored by an inspector general,<ref>http://inspectorgeneral.cuyahogacounty.us/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref> shrinking the size of government, a sheriff community policing unit,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://executive.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_executive/en-US/110523-CommunityPolicingInitiative.pdf | title=Cuyahoga County Office of the Executive }}</ref> the largest college savings program in the nation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/11/cuyahoga_county_to_set_up_coll.html|title=Cuyahoga County wants to set up college savings accounts for all kindergartners|work=cleveland.com|date=November 30, 2012 |access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politifact.com/ohio/statements/2013/jun/03/ed-fitzgerald/ed-fitzgerald-says-cuyahoga-countys-college-saving/|title=Ed FitzGerald says Cuyahoga County's college savings program is the first to guarantee an account for every child entering kindergarten|work=@politifact|access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref> the promotion of regional economic and service cooperation strategies,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2013/03/cuyahoga_county_to_lead_effort_to_consolidate_emergency_dispatch_centers.html|title=Cuyahoga County|work=cleveland.com|date=March 26, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref> and a significant economic development fund to promote job creation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politifact.com/ohio/promises/fitz-o-meter/promise/875/establish-an-economic-development-fund-/|title=Fitz-O-Meter: Establish a $100-million economic development fund - PolitiFact Ohio|work=PolitiFact Ohio|access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref>
===2014 Ohio gubernatorial campaign=== {{main|2014 Ohio gubernatorial election}}
FitzGerald was frequently mentioned as a potential gubernatorial nominee for 2014. In 2012, he gave a videotaped response to Governor John Kasich's speech at the Republican National Committee.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cleveland Leader Staff|title=Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald Responds to Ohio Gov. John Kasich's Speech at RNC|url=http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/18742|publisher=Cleveland Leader|access-date=August 29, 2012|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020160907/http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/18742|url-status=dead}}</ref> In March 2013, he formed an exploratory committee to consider a campaign for governor of Ohio.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/03/11/ohio-gov-john-kasich-gets-first-likely-challenger-ed-fitzgerald/?wprss=rss_election-2012|title=Ohio Gov. John Kasich gets first likely challenger: Ed FitzGerald|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref>
On April 24, 2013, he announced his candidacy for governor of Ohio.<ref name=Launch>{{cite news|last=Gomez|first=Henry J.|title=Ed FitzGerald kicks off his long-planned bid for governor by banking on his Cuyahoga County base|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2013/04/ed_fitzgerald_kicks_off_his_lo.html|access-date=August 27, 2013|newspaper=Cleveland Plain Dealer|date=April 24, 2013}}</ref> FitzGerald was endorsed by Senator Sherrod Brown,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2013/11/15/U-S-Sherrod-Brown-comes-to-Toledo-to-endorse-FitzGerald-for-governor.html|title=U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown comes to Toledo to endorse FitzGerald for governor|last=Troy|first=Tom|work=Toledo Blade|date=November 15, 2013|access-date=November 17, 2013}}</ref> former Governor Ted Strickland,<ref>{{cite web|title=Ted Strickland endorses Ed FitzGerald for governor| website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42_81avfe-w}}</ref> Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/frontpage/2013/08/15/Kaptur-endorses-FitzGerald-in-governor-s-race-1.html|title=Kaptur endorses FitzGerald in governor's race|last=Troy|first=Tom|work=Toledo Blade|date=August 15, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref> Columbus mayor Michael B. Coleman,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/04/09/Mayor_Coleman_endorses_Fitzgerald_for_governor.html|title=Mayor Coleman endorses FitzGerald for governor|last=Drabold|first=Will|work=The Columbus Dispatch|date=April 9, 2014|access-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref> Cleveland mayor Frank G. Jackson<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2014/01/ed_fitzgerald_collects_endorse.html|title=Ed FitzGerald collects endorsement from Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson; announcement on new running mate 'coming very soon'|last=Gomez|first=Henry J.|work=The Plain Dealer|date=January 16, 2014|access-date=March 2, 2014}}</ref> and numerous unions.<ref name="endorse1">{{cite web|url=http://mediatrackers.org/ohio/2014/01/06/democrats-early-union-endorsements|title=Ohio Democrats Enjoy Early Labor Union Endorsements|last=Hart|first=Jason|work=mediatrackers|date=January 6, 2014|access-date=March 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824052059/http://mediatrackers.org/ohio/2014/01/06/democrats-early-union-endorsements|archive-date=August 24, 2014|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2013/10/ohio_afl-cio_backs_ed_fitzgera.html|title=Ohio AFL-CIO backs Ed FitzGerald for governor|last=Gomez|first=Henry J.|work=The Plain Dealer|date=October 7, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ohea.org/ohio-education-association-endorses-fitzgerald-for-governor|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140303094519/https://www.ohea.org/ohio-education-association-endorses-fitzgerald-for-governor|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 3, 2014|title=Ohio Education Association Endorses FitzGerald for Governor|work=Ohio Education Association|date=November 4, 2013|access-date=March 2, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2014/01/ed_fitzgerald_collects_endorse.html|title=Ed FitzGerald plays up UAW endorsement, John Kasich heads to Cleveland: Ohio Politics Roundup|last=Gomez|first=Henry J.|work=The Plain Dealer|date=February 13, 2014|access-date=March 2, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2014/07/fraternal_order_of_police_endo.html|title=Fraternal Order of Police endorses Ed FitzGerald|last=Gomez|first=Henry J.|work=cleveland.com|date=July 29, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2014}}</ref> On May 6, 2014, FitzGerald won the Democratic primary with 83% of the vote.
FitzGerald released a plan for state-funded universal preschool in addition to announcing his support for gay marriage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2014/05/fitzgerald_proposes_500_millio.html#incart_river_default|title=FitzGerald proposes $500 million universal preschool plan|work=cleveland.com|date=May 14, 2014 |access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref> He criticized Kasich for signing into law income tax cuts that save larger sums of money for wealthier Ohioans than poorer ones, while increasing sales taxes, which tax a larger percentage of income from poorer Ohioans than from wealthier ones.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2013/06/ed_fitzgerald_assails_ohio_bud.html#incart_river_default|title=Ed FitzGerald assails Ohio budget as harmful to middle-class families, the poor and women|work=cleveland.com|date=June 28, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref> FitzGerald also chided Kasich for a lack of transparency at JobsOhio, the privatized economic development agency that Kasich formed,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nbc4i.com/story/25393739/jobs-ohio-doesnt-have-to-disclose-records-on-taxpayer-money |title=Jobs Ohio Doesn't Have to Disclose Records on Taxpayer Money - WCMH: News, Weather, and Sports for Columbus, Ohio |access-date=May 17, 2014 |archive-date=May 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517124037/http://www.nbc4i.com/story/25393739/jobs-ohio-doesnt-have-to-disclose-records-on-taxpayer-money |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wosu.org/2012/news/2013/09/09/ed-fitzgerald-calls-for-jobsohio-transparency/|title=Ed FitzGerald Calls For JobsOhio Transparency|work=WOSU News|access-date=November 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517122919/http://wosu.org/2012/news/2013/09/09/ed-fitzgerald-calls-for-jobsohio-transparency/|archive-date=May 17, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/03/21/ed-fitzgerald-enquirer-ohio/6713217/|title=Ed FitzGerald to Enquirer: Here's my Ohio|author=CIN|date=March 21, 2014|access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref> and for signing into law bills that cut early voting days and limit the distribution of absentee ballot applications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2014/02/kasich_signs_voting_bills_that.html|title=Kasich signs voting bills that end Golden Week and limit distribution of absentee ballots|work=cleveland.com|date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2014/04/cuyahoga_county_council_gives_final_approval_to_ed_fitzgeralds_voting_rights_law.html|title=Cuyahoga County|work=cleveland.com|date=April 9, 2014 |access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref>
On November 20, 2013, FitzGerald picked Eric Kearney to be his running mate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fox19.com/story/24035805/fitzgerald-picks-sen-eric-kearney-for-ohio-governors-race|publisher=Fox 19|title=fitzgerald-picks-sen-eric-kearney-for-ohio-governors-race|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212233539/http://www.fox19.com/story/24035805/fitzgerald-picks-sen-eric-kearney-for-ohio-governors-race|archive-date=December 12, 2013}}</ref> On December 10, Kearney stepped down from the ticket due to increasing controversy surrounding back taxes he and his wife owed.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=WKYC|url=http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/politics/2013/12/10/running-mate/3963361/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131210222539/http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/politics/2013/12/10/running-mate/3963361/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 10, 2013|title=Democrat ends bid to be Ohio's lieutenant governor}}</ref> FitzGerald later selected Sharen Swartz Neuhardt, an attorney from the Dayton area, to be his running mate.<ref>{{citation|last=Navera |first=Tristan |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2014/01/17/kasich-challenger-picks-dayton-lawyer.html |title=Kasich challenger picks Dayton lawyer as running mate |publisher=Dayton Business Journal |location=Dayton, Ohio |date=January 17, 2014 |access-date=January 24, 2014}}</ref>
On August 1, 2014, FitzGerald was asked to explain an October 13, 2012, incident in which he was found in a parking lot at about 4:30 am in a car with a woman, who was not his wife. FitzGerald dismissed the allegations as baseless and "disgusting." It was later verified with the Westlake Police Department that it was indeed Fitzgerald in the vehicle with the woman.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bump|first1=Phillip|title=Ed FitzGerald's name recognition is about to get a boost in Ohio, for the wrong reasons|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/08/01/ed-fitzgeralds-name-recognition-is-about-to-get-a-boost-in-ohio-for-the-wrong-reasons/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref> It was also learned that FitzGerald did not have a valid driver's license at the time of this incident, and had not had one for approximately ten years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/08/05/witness-saw-fitzgerald-driving-alone.html|access-date=August 7, 2014|title=Witnesses saw FitzGerald driving alone|publisher=The Columbus Dispatch|archive-date=August 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808091802/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/08/05/witness-saw-fitzgerald-driving-alone.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2012, FitzGerald did obtain a permanent driver's license in Ohio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2014/08/06/ed-fitzgerald-lacked-drivers-license-4-years/|title=Ed FitzGerald lacked driver's license for decade|work=Chronicle-Telegram|access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref>
FitzGerald was defeated by Kasich in the November 4, 2014, election losing 86 of Ohio's 88 counties including his own home county of Cuyahoga. He only received a majority in Athens and Monroe counties.
===2026 congressional campaign=== After stepping away from politics for over a decade, FitzGerald announced that he would challenge incumbent Max Miller in Ohio's 7th congressional district in the 2026 midterms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ohio |first=Today in |date=July 25, 2025 |title=Ed FitzGerald's political resurrection? Have Ohio voters forgotten his spectacular flame-out? |url=https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/07/ed-fitzgeralds-political-resurrection-have-ohio-voters-forgotten-his-spectacular-flame-out.html |access-date=July 25, 2025 |website=cleveland |language=en}}</ref> He was defeated in the primary by Brook Park councilmember Brian Poindexter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eaton |first=Sabrina |date=May 6, 2026 |title=Brian Poindexter wins Ohio's 7th District Dem primary, incumbents Joyce, Brown fend off challengers |url=https://www.cleveland.com/election/2026/05/brian-poindexter-wins-ohios-7th-district-dem-primary-incumbents-joyce-brown-fend-off-challengers.html |access-date=May 6, 2026 |website=cleveland |language=en}}</ref>
==Electoral history== {|class="wikitable collapsible" |-bgcolor=#cccccc !colspan=24 style="background: #ccccff;" |Election results |- !'''Year''' !'''Office''' !'''Election''' ! !'''Subject''' !'''Party''' !'''Votes''' !'''%''' ! !'''Opponent''' !'''Party''' !'''Votes''' !'''%''' ! !'''Opponent''' !'''Party''' !'''Votes''' !'''%''' ! !'''Opponent''' !'''Party''' !'''Votes''' !'''%''' ! |- |- |2014<ref>{{cite news | title = November 02, 2010 Amended Official Total Ballots Cast by Contest | url = https://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_gubernatorial_and_lieutenant_gubernatorial_election,_2014 | work = Ballotpedia| access-date = May 9, 2018}}</ref> |Governor of Ohio |General | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Ed FitzGerald |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |1,009,359 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |33.03% | |{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''John Kasich''' |{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Republican''' |{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''1,944,848''' |{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''63.64%''' | |{{Party shading/Green}} |Anita Rios |{{Party shading/Green}} |Green |{{Party shading/Green}} |101,706 |{{Party shading/Green}} |3.3% | | | | | | |- |2010<ref>{{cite news | title = November 02, 2010 Amended Official Total Ballots Cast by Contest | url = https://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_boe/en-US/11022010AmendedofficialTotalBallotsCastbyContest.HTM | work = Cuyahoga County Board of Elections | access-date = May 9, 2018}}</ref> |County Executive of Cuyahoga County, Ohio |General | |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Ed FitzGerald''' |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Democratic''' |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''188,474''' |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''45.73%''' | |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Matt Dolan |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |{{Party shading/Republican}} |124,719 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |30.26% | |{{Party shading/Independent}} |Ken Lanci |{{Party shading/Independent}} |Independent |{{Party shading/Independent}} |47,110 |{{Party shading/Independent}} |11.43% | |{{Party shading/Independent}} |Tim McCormack |{{Party shading/Independent}} |Independent |{{Party shading/Independent}} |33,760 |{{Party shading/Independent}} |8.19% |* |- |2007<ref>{{cite news | title = November 6, 2007 Official Summary Report | url = https://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_boe/en-US/history/2007/110607_Official_GE_Summary.pdf | work = Cuyahoga County Board of Elections | access-date = May 9, 2018}}</ref> |Mayor of Lakewood, Ohio |General | |'''Ed FitzGerald''' |'''Non-Partisan''' |'''6,631''' |'''61.27%''' | |Thomas J. George |Non-Partisan |4,192 |38.73% | | | | | | | | | | | |- |}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Independent candidate Don Scipione received 11,897 votes (2.89%) and Green Party candidate David Ellison received 6,193 votes (1.5%)
== Personal life == FitzGerald is the seventh of eight children and is of Irish Catholic ancestry. He and his wife Shannon have been married for twenty one years and are the parents of four children.
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002135929/http://www.edfitzgeraldforohio.com/ |date=October 2, 2017 |title=Ed FitzGerald for Ohio}} * [https://www.gledp.com/ Great Lakes Economic Development] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102143131/https://www.gledp.com/ |date=January 2, 2022 }}, FitzGerald's consulting firm * [http://www.politifact.com/ohio/promises/fitz-o-meter/ Fitz-O-Meter: Tracking the promises of Ed FitzGerald] at PolitiFact
{{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=Ted Strickland}} {{s-ttl|title=Democratic nominee for Governor of Ohio|years=2014}} {{s-aft|after=Richard Cordray}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fitzgerald, Ed}} Category:1968 births Category:20th-century American lawyers Category:21st-century American businesspeople Category:21st-century American lawyers Category:Candidates in the 2014 United States elections Category:Candidates in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections Category:Cleveland State University College of Law alumni Category:County executives in Ohio Category:Federal Bureau of Investigation agents Category:Law enforcement officials from Chicago Category:Living people Category:Mayors of places in Ohio Category:Ohio city council members Category:Ohio Democrats Category:Ohio lawyers Category:Ohio State University alumni Category:Place of birth missing (living people)