Posted on 11/19/25
| News Source: Arutz-7
Michelle Weiss was elected mayor of University Heights, Ohio, becoming the first orthodox Jewish woman to serve as a mayor in the US.
Weiss, a longtime Republican, won the race in the Democratic suburb of Cleveland with a campaign focused on bipartisanship and bridge-building.
She served on the city council for 15 years and as deputy mayor for the past six. Her victory marks a milestone in Orthodox Jewish political representation in the US - no other orthodox Jewish woman is known to have held a similar position.
“I love University Heights - my husband and I raised our children here and now watch our grandchildren grow,” Weiss said at the launch of her campaign. “I feel a debt of gratitude to the city and a commitment to make a difference.”
Weiss built her campaign on a reputation for being willing to “reach across the aisle” to find common ground. She pledged to focus on improving infrastructure, advancing commercial revitalization, and supporting longtime residents. Weiss will be sworn in on January 1, 2026.