Erica C. Crawley, a Democrat and the incumbent Franklin County commissioner, is running for re-election on Nov. 3, 2026. She faces two challengers.

Republican Davide Cugini and Libertarian Eric Terford are also on the ballot. Crawley is the first Black woman elected to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, according to the county's website. She served as president of the board in 2022.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Hometown: Originally from Youngstown, Ohio
  • Education: High school diploma, Chaney High School; bachelor's degree in criminology, Cleveland State University (2008); master's degree in public administration, Walden University (2011); juris doctor, Capital University (2017)
  • Military service: U.S. Navy veteran; earned the Naval & Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal
  • Family: Mother of twin girls; first-generation college graduate

Experience and public service

Crawley has served as a Franklin County commissioner since 2021, according to BallotReady profile data. She also served as a state representative starting in 2019, according to the same source.

Before holding elected office, Crawley worked as a law clerk at Eastman & Smith Ltd. from 2016 to 2018 and at American Honda Motor Company's HNA Inc. Legal Division in 2015, according to BallotReady. She served as an advocacy coordinator at Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children from 2011 to 2013. She also held roles at Cuyahoga County Job & Family Services, the YMCA Head Start/Early Head Start Program and the National Black Child Development Institute's Atlanta chapter.

Her appointed roles include serving on the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee at the Ohio General Assembly, the House Finance Committee and the Armed Services & Veterans Affairs Committee in the Ohio House of Representatives. She was appointed to the Governor's Commission on Infant Mortality and the Commission on Minority Health. She is a founding member of Ohio's Black Maternal Health Caucus.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Crawley's responses to BallotReady questionnaires and reflect the candidate's own statements.

Housing: Crawley said she is working to ensure everyone in the community can have an affordable place to live and reduce those who are rent burdened.

Public safety: Crawley said she advocates at every level of government for legislation that protects citizens and law enforcement while bringing transparency and accountability.

Healthcare: Crawley said she is working to create a health equity and outcomes policy advisor position to work with every level of government. She said she is enhancing the focus on maternal and infant health initiatives by continuing to work with CelebrateOne, ROOTT, Cradle Cincinnati, Queens Village and grassroots organizations across the state and the federal government.

Economy and jobs: Crawley said she advocates for more job training services and after-school programs so everyone in Franklin County has an opportunity to earn a living wage. She said she is fighting to create pathways out of poverty for children and families and reduce criminality.

Environment: Crawley said she advocates for green energy policy and building standards at the county level.

Endorsements

Crawley has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO, according to BallotReady profile data.

Candidate policy positions were drawn from responses submitted through BallotReady. The New Albany-Gahanna Beacon presents this profile as part of its 2026 election coverage to help voters make informed decisions.