Mohammad Faraj Running for Cleveland City Council in New Ward 7

Every Cleveland City Council seat in the newly reconfigured 15-seat body is up for election this November, and the new Ward 7 has quickly become one of the most interesting races.

With the announcement from Kerry McCormack that he wouldn’t seek re-election, and that he wouldn’t resign and appoint a successor who would enjoy incumbent status with a leg up on challengers, the open race has steadily drawn competitors including Austin Davis, current senior advisor to Mayor Justin Bibb.

Mohammad Faraj, an Eco Village resident, attorney, and enterprise manager for Bitcoin Depot, has now also officially joined the race.

“I’m running because I believe in a Cleveland where every single person feels like they belong, where their voice matters and their neighborhoods thrive,” he told Scene. “I see and hear people all around me feeling uncertain, feeling a sense of anxiety and exhaustion from being ignored in our city and country, and we’re in a moment of crisis where leadership can’t just be about slogans — it has to be about real answers built by people who are listening.”

While acknowledging that he felt that both McCormack and Jenny Spencer, who also announced she won’t be seeking re-election, have done commendable jobs in his eyes, Faraj says it’s time for a new steward of the neighborhoods who offers a fresh perspective.

“The new Ward 7 includes beautiful and diverse parts of the city — from Gordon Square to the East Bank, from Lakeview Terrace to Tremont — and we’ve got incredible growth happening,” he said. “Median home prices are rising, nearly half of our residents have a college degree. But some of the challenges that plague Cleveland also exist in the ward. Nearly a third of the ward lives below the poverty line. About 10% of the homes don’t have access to the internet. Half of our seniors are living with disabilities. I believe there’s progress but there are also pain points, and we need leadership that sees both and can build from there.”

Faraj, a first generation Arab American who is Palestinian, said he’s been very much engaged in local and national issues — advocating on behalf of Palestine, getting more involved in community organizing, and listening to what residents in the ward want.

“I know what it’s like to sit with protestors and then sit in a room and have a meaningful conversation about a resolution,” he said. “We need leadership that can move between both worlds.”

He hopes to bring his personal experiences to those neighborhoods and give them a voice at City Hall.

“I’ve spent my whole life being told I don’t really belong, because I’m Arab, because I’m Muslim, because I’m Palestinian,” he said. “That sense of being left out, that’s something that a lot of Clevelanders can relate to. We live in a world where people are taught to fear and stereotype things that are different. I’ve spent my life pushing through those barriers and I want to break them down for others.”

The candidate also believes his professional experience translates well to a possible seat on council.

“As an enterprise manager I make sure companies are following internal standards but also following regulatory and industry standards for protecting consumers and preventing financial crime,” he said. “My job is all about oversight accountability and problem solving. That’s the mindset I want to bring to public service.”

As for campaign priorities, Faraj said he’s still listening to voters but wants to focus on accessible city services, dependable infrastructure, reliable public safety, flexible economic development and sustainable small businesses.

“Are folks stably housed? Do young people have access to good jobs and training? Do neighbors know and trust each other? Those are some of the things I’ll be talking about,” he said.

He’s likewise encouraged by the open race in the ward and the residents and business owners who have contributed to the thriving and vibrant neighborhoods it includes.

“This is a real chance for voters to decide what kind of leadership they want,” he said. “The ward has some of the highest voter turnout in the city. We have a responsibility to show what a competitive election looks like during this transformational time, one where the Democratic Party is in need of new actors and fresh energy offering a pipeline to those who feel lost.”