WATCH: Kucinich files to run as independent in OH-7

CLEVELAND (WJW) — Former Ohio Democratic congressman and Cleveland mayor Dennis Kucinich filed petitions to run for the state’s 7th Congressional District.

Kucinich, who represented Cleveland in the U.S. House from 1997 to 2012, filed to run as an independent on Monday at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, according to a news release.

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“I want to thank the more than 6,000 voters — Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike, people from across the political and religious spectrum — who signed to get me on the ballot, as well as those who circulated petitions through freezing weather — through snow, through rain and through flu season — to make this possible,” Kucinich told reporters on Monday.

“I have found in speaking to people of the 7th district that we’re in alignment with each other. The people have made it clear that they’re seeking a representative who places country above party — whose allegiance is to America and to no other nation,” he said.

If elected, he’d be one of only a small handful of independent elected officials in Washington.

The former Cleveland mayor also ran for president in 2004 and 2008. He also had failed bids for Ohio governor in 2018 and, most recently, for Cleveland mayor in 2021.

He announced his candidacy in January.

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He’s expected to appear on the November general election ballot alongside incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Max Miller of Rocky River, a former Marine who took office in 2023, as well as the winner of the Democratic primary contest between entrepreneur Doug Bugie and small business owner Matthew Diemer.

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