Nicole Sigurdson, a union organizer with the backing of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, defeated two opponents in Tuesday’s primary. The Cleveland resident will face Republican Ed Hargate in November. 

The district includes Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood and all or portions of a string of eastern and southeastern suburbs, including Solon and Pepper Pike. 

Sigurdson, who works for SEIU District 1199, campaigned around workers’ rights, including increasing the minimum wage, protecting the environment and the need to be more “caring about people.”

She defeated Dionna M. Gore of Solon, who works for Medical Mutual and was backed by the district’s incumbent, Phillip Robinson Jr. of Solon, who is term-limited. Sigurdson also beat Cheryl Perez, a small business owner from Brecksville, who was endorsed by Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer. 

During the campaign Sigurdson received criticism from some fellow party members and others for a comment she made on social media in 2025 about the Israel-Hamas war. Her comment – which she has since deleted – especially stood out because her district includes communities with sizable Jewish populations, including Solon and Pepper Pike. 

In the post, Sigurdson shared an image of the Palestinian flag that read, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” It’s a slogan used by pro-Palestinian activists as a call for freedom. Others, including many Jewish groups, view it as a call to eliminate the state of Israel. Some terrorist groups have used the slogan. Sigurdson posted a video earlier this year apologizing for the post. 

Cleveland, OH, May 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Victory Entertainment announced the full lineup for the inaugural Afterburn Music Festival, a two-day outdoor rock event taking place August 14–15, 2026, at Victory Park in North Ridgeville, Ohio. Featuring a mix of pop punk, alternative, hard rock, and metal, the festival brings together multi-generational acts for what is expected to be one of the region’s most anticipated summer music events.

Third Eye Blind and Skillet will headline the Afterburn Music Festival in Cleveland, Ohio.

Headlining Friday, August 14, are Third Eye Blind, known for hits including Semi-Charmed Life, Jumper, and Narcolepsy, alongside New Found Glory, the Florida pop-punk icons behind My Friends Over You and Hit or Miss.

Saturday, August 15, features Skillet, the multi-platinum rock powerhouse known for Monster, Feel Invincible, and Comatose, and Hoobastank, whose breakout single The Reason became one of the defining songs of the early 2000s.

The full line-up of artists performing across the two-day festival includes:

Friday, August 14

• Third Eye Blind
• New Found Glory
• The Maine
• Switchfoot
• lovelytheband
• Bayside
• Heart Attack Man
• Giveth

Saturday, August 15

• Skillet
• Hoobastank
• Set It Off
• Puddle of Mudd
• Drowning Pool
• Black Stone Cherry
• Small Town Titans
• Rusty

“The goal with Afterburn wasn’t to create just another festival—it was to build something that feels big without feeling out of reach,” said Joe Borkey, President of Victory Entertainment. “This is the kind of lineup you’d normally have to travel for. Now it’s happening right here in Northeast Ohio.”

Designed to appeal to fans across multiple eras of rock music, the Afterburn Music Festival blends legacy acts with modern favorites, offering a shared live experience for longtime fans and newer audiences alike. As demand for regional, drive-in festivals continues to grow, Afterburn provides an accessible alternative to destination events such as Lollapalooza and Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival.

Borkey added, “We curated a lineup of bands to resonate with fans across multiple generations. Whether you came of age on 90s alternative, grew up on pop-punk, or found your faith through rock music, the Afterburn will have a selection of artists performing just for you.”

The festival will feature two full-production stages, an immersive VIP area, and a wide selection of Northeast Ohio food trucks and vendors. Gates open at noon each day, with performances beginning at 12:30 p.m. The event is expected to draw thousands of attendees from across Ohio and the surrounding Midwest region.

Tickets are on sale now at theafterburnmusicfestival.com, with the first tier of general admission tickets priced at $89.65 for a single day, and $159.30 for both days of the festival. VIP options are also available. Early ticket tiers and VIP tickets are limited and expected to sell quickly.

Located just outside Cleveland, Victory Park, a 60+ acre sports and entertainment facility, offers a natural outdoor setting with ample on-site parking, providing convenient access for fans throughout Northeast Ohio.

Additional scheduling details and festival information will be announced in the coming weeks.

For tickets, artist information, and updates, visit theafterburnmusicfestival.com or follow The Afterburn Music Festival on social media. Media inquiries and press credential requests should be directed to BMA Media at jjrborkey@bmamedia.com. High-resolution media assets are available upon request.

ABOUT VICTORY ENTERTAINMENT

Victory Entertainment is a Northeast Ohio-based live entertainment company dedicated to producing high-quality music festivals and concert experiences that connect nationally recognized artists with regional audiences.

The Afterburn Ohio Music Festival logo

About The Afterburn Music Festival

The Afterburn Music Festival is a two-day outdoor rock event held August 14–15, 2026, at Victory Park in North Ridgeville, Ohio. Featuring headliners Third Eye Blind, New Found Glory, Skillet, and Hoobastank, the festival delivers a multi-genre lineup spanning pop punk, alternative, and hard rock. Tickets and information are available at theafterburnmusicfestival.com.

Press Inquiries

Jerrod Borkey Jr.
jjrborkey [at] bmamedia.com
4409754262
https://theafterburnmusicfestival.com/
4091 Erie Street, Willoughby, OH 44094

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Election Day 2026 has arrived. Voters are making their way to polling places across Ohio.

19 News has created an Election Day guide with information on where to vote, registration and more.

Stay tuned until this evening when 19 News will have the results of what issues and candidates are in the lead.

Ohio Election Results for local issues and races

Statewide

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

• Amy Acton and David Pepper (D)
• Heather Hill and Stuart Moats (R)
• Casey Putsch and Kimberly C. Georgeton (R)
• Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert A. McColley (R)
• Don Kissick and James L. Mills (L)
• Travis Jon Vought and Christy Jo Orr (L/Write-in)

Attorney General

• Elliott Forhan (D)
• John J. Kulewicz (D)
• Keith Faber (R)

Secretary of State

• Bryan Hambley (D)
• Allison Russo (D)
• Robert Sprague (R)
• Marcell Strbich (R)
• Tom Pruss (L)

Treasurer of State

• Seth Walsh (D)
• Jay Edwards (R)
• Kristina D. Roegner (R)

Justice of the Supreme Court

• Marilyn Zayas (D)
• Daniel R. Hawkins (R)

Justice of the Supreme Court

• Jennifer Brunner (D)
• Andrew King (R)
• Jill Lanzinger (R)
• Ronald Lewis (R)
• Colleen O’Donnell (R)

Federal

United States Senator

• Sherrod Brown (D)
• Ron Kincaid (D)
• Jon Husted (R)
• William B. Redpath (L)

Local Levies and Issues