Who are the candidates for Lakewood City Council?

There are a total of seven seats on Lakewood City Council; three at-large seats and one additional seat for each of the city’s four wards. Council members serve for staggered four year terms. All three at-large seats are available in the November 4 election, as well as the Ward 2 seat. Candidates for the at-large seats include Tom Bullock, Brian Higgins, Sarah Kepple, Angelina Steiner, Allison Urbanek and Brian Ventura. Candidates for the Ward 2 seat include Bryan Evans and Kyle Robinson. 

All eight of this year’s city council candidates self-identified as members of the Democratic party, though city council positions are considered non-partisan. Candidates range in age from 42 to 55, and four of the candidates have not previously held office. Tom Bullock, who is running for an at-large seat, has served on the Lakewood City Council since 2008. Also running for an at-large seat, Sarah Kepple has served since 2020 and was elected Council President in January 2024. Bryan Evans, the incumbent for the open Ward 2 position, was appointed in September 2024 after the resignation of Jason Schachner.  

Angelina Steiner was appointed in January 2025 to fill the vacant at-large seat left by Tristan Rader’s move to the Ohio House of Representatives. Her appointment established a record-breaking female majority for the Lakewood City Council.

When asked what the single most pressing issue facing City Council is, seven out of eight candidates include affordability/affordable housing in their answers, and all eight mention housing in their questionnaire responses. Many also mention neighborhood schools and pedestrian and bike safety as pressing concerns.  

Find out more about what each candidate’s vision for Lakewood includes by reading their responses to our questionnaire.  

At-large candidates  

• Tom Bullock 
• Brian Higgins 
• Sarah Kepple 
• Angelina Steiner 
• Allison Urbanek 
• Brian Ventura 

Ward 2 candidates 

• Bryan Evans 
• Kyle Robinson 

How can you get involved? Public comment is welcome at all regular meetings, which are held the first and third Monday of every month at 7:30 in the evening at Lakewood City Hall, located at 12650 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. Committee meetings are held as needed on Monday evenings. Find out more on the city’s website, or email the Clerk of Council’s office at council@lakewoodoh.gov.  

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to address questions over party affiliation.