Shontel Brown
American politician (born 1975)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shontel Monique Brown[2] (born June 24, 1975)[3][4] is an American politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Ohio's 11th congressional district since 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, Brown previously served as a member of the Cuyahoga County Council, representing the 9th district.[5]
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June 24, 1975
Shontel Brown | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 11th district | |
| Assumed office November 2, 2021[a] | |
| Preceded by | Marcia Fudge |
| Member of the Cuyahoga County Council from the 9th district | |
| In office January 1, 2015 – November 4, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Ellen Connally |
| Succeeded by | Meredith Turner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Shontel Monique Brown June 24, 1975 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Cuyahoga Community College (AS) Wilberforce University (BS) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
| |
Brown was first elected to Congress in a 2021 special election after Marcia Fudge resigned to become Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Joe Biden.[6]
Early life and education
Brown earned an Associate of Science degree in business management from Cuyahoga Community College.[7] She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational management from Wilberforce University.[8][9][10]
Career
Brown founded Diversified Digital Solutions, a marketing support company.[5] She was elected to the Warrensville Heights City Council in 2011, where she held office for three years.[5] In 2014, she was elected to the 9th District on the Cuyahoga County Council, succeeding Councilwoman C. Ellen Connally.[11] Her district includes much of eastern Cuyahoga County, including Warrensville Heights, Bedford, Shaker Heights, Orange, and part of eastern Cleveland.[12] In 2017, she was elected chair of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, defeating State Senator Sandra Williams and Newburgh Heights Mayor Trevor Elkins.[12] Upon taking office, Brown became the first woman and the first African American to serve as Cuyahoga County Democratic party chair.[12][4]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2021 special
On March 10, 2021, Marcia Fudge resigned her seat in the United States House of Representatives, after being confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Biden administration. Governor Mike DeWine set the primary date for August 3, concurrent with the special election in Ohio's 15th congressional district.[13][14] The general election was on November 2. Shontel Brown won both the competitive Democratic primary and the general election, and was sworn in on November 4.
2022
Brown defeated former state Senator Nina Turner in the May 3, 2022, Democratic primary for the 11th district.[15] She was endorsed by President Joe Biden and the Congressional Progressive Caucus;[16] the Congressional Progressive Caucus had supported Turner in the Democratic primary for Ohio's 11th congressional district special election in 2021.[17]
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
Political positions
As a U.S. representative, Brown supported the Build Back Better Act.[25]
Brown voted to provide Israel with support following the October 7 attacks.[26][27] Brown received 4.5 million dollars in campaign donations from pro-Israel sources.[28]
Personal life
Electoral history
2021 Ohio's 11th congressional district special election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Shontel Brown | 38,505 | 50.11% | |
| Democratic | Nina Turner | 34,239 | 44.56% | |
| Democratic | Jeff Johnson | 1,388 | 1.81% | |
| Democratic | John E. Barnes Jr. | 801 | 1.04% | |
| Democratic | Shirley Smith | 599 | 0.78% | |
| Democratic | Seth J. Corey | 493 | 0.64% | |
| Democratic | Pamela M. Pinkney | 184 | 0.24% | |
| Democratic | Will Knight | 182 | 0.24% | |
| Democratic | Tariq Shabazz | 134 | 0.17% | |
| Democratic | Martin Alexander | 105 | 0.14% | |
| Democratic | James Jerome Bell | 101 | 0.13% | |
| Democratic | Lateek Shabazz | 61 | 0.08% | |
| Democratic | Isaac Powell | 52 | 0.07% | |
| Total votes | 76,844 | 100.0% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Shontel Brown | 81,636 | 78.8% | |
| Republican | Laverne Gore | 21,929 | 21.2% | |
| Total votes | 103,565 | 100.0% | ||
2022 Ohio's 11th congressional district election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Shontel Brown (incumbent) | 40,517 | 66.5 | |
| Democratic | Nina Turner | 20,395 | 33.5 | |
| Total votes | 60,912 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Shontel Brown (incumbent) | 167,722 | 77.8 | |
| Republican | Eric Brewer | 47,988 | 22.2 | |
| Total votes | 215,710 | 100.0 | ||
2024 Ohio's 11th congressional district election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Shontel Brown (incumbent) | 61,573 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 61,573 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Shontel Brown (incumbent) | 236,883 | 78.3 | |
| Republican | Alan Rapoport | 59,394 | 19.6 | |
| Sean Freeman | 6,107 | 2.0 | ||
| Write-in | Tracy Deforde | 27 | 0.0 | |
| Write-in | Christopher Zelonish | 2 | 0.0 | |
| Total votes | 302,413 | 100.0 | ||
