OH-07 Dem candidate Brian Poindexter has had multiple run-ins with the law, newly unearthed court records indicate
The race to represent Ohio’s 7th Congressional District looks to run through the courtroom.
While the mainstream media has been fixated on the legal woes of Republican Max Miller, Democratic nominee Brian Poindexter appears to have had several run-ins with the law, some of which date back more than two decades.
Since 1997, Poindexter has faced a bevy of charges, including assault, vandalism and drug and alcohol offenses, ranging from disorderly conduct in 1997 to open alcohol in 1999 to aggravated disorderly conduct in 2003. He’s apparently also been charged with more than 40 different traffic offenses.
His most recent charge appears to date to May, when he pleaded no contest to texting while driving. Cleveland Municipal Court records show costs were waived after he was found “indigent” in May.
In 2023, as a member of the Brook Park City Council, he shot off fireworks in the Cleveland suburb, which had banned them, a Cleveland.com report previously noted. Berea Municipal Court records show he pleaded guilty to one count, while two others were dismissed.
In 2003, Poindexter was charged with aggravated disorderly conduct. Cleveland Municipal Court records indicate that Poindexter pleaded not guilty in December 2003, was sent to a selective intervention program in January 2004, and that the charge was dismissed in July 2014.
In 2002, Poindexter was charged with disorderly conduct intoxication. Cleveland Municipal Court records indicate he was found guilty and sentenced to time served and a fine.
In 2000, Poindexter was apparently charged twice with drug abuse involving possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana.
In April 2000, Poindexter, whose name is spelled Powdexter in Cleveland Municipal Court records, paid a fine. In March 2000, Poindexter paid a fine but was found not guilty.
In 1999, Poindexter was charged with an open alcohol violation in Pinellas County, Florida. Records indicate he pleaded guilty and paid a fine.
In 1998, Poindexter was charged with drug abuse and pleaded no contest. South Euclid Municipal Court records indicate he paid a $100 fine to close the case.
While $40 of the fine would have been suspended if he had paid by Oct. 14, 1998, he apparently did not pay. A warrant was issued in November 1998 and served in March 1999.
South Euclid Municipal Court records indicate he paid the $100 fine the day after the warrant was served.
In 1997, Poindexter was charged with disorderly conduct after urinating in public. He pleaded guilty and paid a fine and court costs.
Court records also show that since 1997, Poindexter has been charged with 41 different traffic offenses.
President Donald Trump won the district, which includes Medina, Wayne, and Ashland counties and the western suburbs of Cleveland, by 11 percentage points in 2024.
Political publications such as the Cook Political Report initially rated the race “Likely Republican.” However, following allegations against Miller, the race has moved into the toss-up category.
Poindexter has drawn endorsements from prominent liberal Democrats, including Bernie Sanders and Ro Khanna. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has also publicly supported Poindexter.
