Vice Mayor Michele Weiss has been elected Mayor of University Heights — becoming what appears to be the first female Orthodox Jew ever elected mayor in the United States. A longtime civic leader and Republican, Weiss defied political odds by capturing the mayor’s office in the heavily Democratic suburb of Cleveland through a campaign built on bridge-building and bipartisanship.
Weiss, who has served on City Council for 15 years and as vice mayor for six, declared victory Tuesday night after a spirited race that underscored her reputation as a consensus-builder willing to “reach across the aisle” to find common ground. “I love University Heights — it’s been my home for 28 years, where my husband and I raised our children and now watch our grandchildren grow,” Weiss said in a statement earlier this year when she launched her campaign. “I feel a debt of gratitude to our beautiful city and an obligation to make a difference.”
Her win caps a long career in public service that began as a volunteer on the city’s finance committee and as an observer for the League of Women Voters. Since first being elected to City Council, Weiss has led initiatives on fiscal responsibility, environmental sustainability, and local redevelopment — including the University Square project and a comprehensive zoning code overhaul.
Among her accomplishments as vice mayor, Weiss helped initiate the new Municipal Facilities Committee without raising taxes, launched a loose-recycling improvement plan, and sponsored the Charter Review Committee that concluded its work in 2023. She also worked to position University Heights as a “Power a Clean Future Ohio” community — a statewide effort to help municipalities transition toward renewable energy.
Her victory also carries symbolic weight beyond city boundaries. Weiss’ election marks a milestone in Orthodox Jewish political representation nationwide, as no other Orthodox woman is known to have previously held the office of mayor in any U.S. city.
Weiss succeeds outgoing Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek a third term after declaring that “every goal has been met” during his tenure. Brennan and Weiss frequently clashed over city governance, including two formal censures issued against him in 2021 and 2024 by City Council — both of which Weiss su8pported or introduced.
Now, as Mayor-elect, Weiss has pledged to focus on continuing infrastructure improvements, advancing commercial revitalization, engaging the city’s senior residents, and keeping University Heights “safe, beautiful, and united.” She will be sworn in on January 1, 2026.
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5 Responses
Where is University Heights? Did YWN just copy and paste from a local news outlet?
Women should not have any type of leadership it’s shulhan aruch you idiots !! And btw with such a wog who can call her an religious woman ? Lies and kfira
EmetsealofHaShem:
It’s a chessed for her husband. She’ll be out of the house more frequently providing him with tranquility.
Where is your bein odom le’chaveiro?
@emetsealofhashem
Perhaps spend less time scrutinizing a woman’s “wog” and more time actually learning the Shulchan Aruch.
I believe the Shulchan Aruch is talking about a judge, (Choshen Mishpat 7:4) and I am quite certain the Shulchan Aruch does not mention the mayor of American cities. I’d suggest opening a sefer before declaring halachic rulings on local elections.
And while we’re on the topic, it’s clear you’re not acquainted with the politics here in University Heights — many respected Rabbanim (though not all) supported her candidacy.
So once again, sir: Maybe take a break from analyzing wigs and crack open a sefer instead.
We don’t need anymore politicians who will “reach across the aisle”. We have parties because we don’t agree. Full stop.