Andrew DeFratis

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Andrew DeFratis

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

September 9, 2025

Education

High school

Garfield Heights High School

Bachelor's

University of Akron, 2012

Graduate

Cleveland State University, 2022

Personal

Birthplace

Bedford, Ohio

Profession

Policy director

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Andrew DeFratis ran for election to the Cleveland City Council to represent Ward 12 in Ohio. He lost in the primary on September 9, 2025.

DeFratis completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Andrew DeFratis was born in Bedford, Ohio. He graduated from Garfield Heights High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Akron in 2012 and a graduate degree from Cleveland State University in 2022. His career experience includes working as a policy director.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Cleveland, Ohio (2025)

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

General election for Cleveland City Council Ward 12

Incumbent Danny Kelly and Tanmay Shah are running in the general election for Cleveland City Council Ward 12 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Danny Kelly (Nonpartisan)
		Tanmay Shah (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Cleveland City Council Ward 12

Incumbent Danny Kelly and Tanmay Shah defeated Andrew DeFratis in the primary for Cleveland City Council Ward 12 on September 9, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Danny Kelly (Nonpartisan)	49.2	669
✔		Tanmay Shah (Nonpartisan)	31.1	422
		Andrew DeFratis (Nonpartisan)	19.7	268

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 1,359
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Andrew DeFratis completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by DeFratis' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Garfield Heights and attended the University of Akron, originally inspired to be a social studies teacher. Through community service and campaign work, I found my calling in advocacy and making government work better for all of us.

I've participated in successful community collaboration with the Summit County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board, accompanied Alzheimer’s caregivers up Capitol Hill advocating for care, support and research funding as director of public policy with the Alzheimer’s Association, and testified at the Statehouse on behalf of survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking as director of public affairs with Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.

A proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’ve always sought out volunteer opportunities to make the world a little better—earning a Master of Public Administration from Cleveland State University with certificates in nonprofit administration and local and urban management, and serving as president of the Stow Democratic Club, treasurer of the Ward 15 Democratic Club, and parliamentarian of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I’m running for a safer Cleveland—one that ensures transparency, accountability, and modern support in public safety, while taking meaningful steps to ensure LGBTQ+ residents feel safe and supported.
• I'm running for a healthier Cleveland—where we prioritize addressing the disproportionate workplace and healthcare inequities faced by Black women in Cleveland, emphasize transit-oriented development, and restore Cleveland’s tree canopy.
• I believe local government should be accessible, responsible, and responsive. That means empowering community voices, respecting public input, and ensuring that city decisions reflect the needs and concerns of the people we serve.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

This is the 21st century—I have high expectations for civil liberties, modern public services, and bold public investment. LGBTQ+ rights should be firmly established, yet they remain under attack. We should be advancing science, sustainability, and equity—but too often, we're still fighting to meet the basic needs of safety, housing, and healthcare. I'm passionate about shifting to green energy like wind power, strengthening public education, and building a Cleveland that will be a leader by example.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Two of my heroes are Hillary Clinton and Theodore Roosevelt. Both incredibly hard workers who valued intelligence and learning. Hillary’s structured and intentional strategies, combined with her mantra to “do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways you can, for as long as you can,” constantly inspires me. Teddy, in addition to his notoriously adventurous and active life, consistently overcoming personal challenges by doing – also valued his scholarly impact and legacy. In addition to everything in the world on his plate, he's the president who authored the most books in his lifetime.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I do believe it’s beneficial for a councilmember to understand the mechanisms of government—both inside City Hall and beyond it. Not every issue can be solved directly through council legislation. A good councilmember should know how to move an issue forward within their role and also help connect advocates to additional levers. Councilmembers are also one voice among many, and understanding governance is understanding how to diplomatically build support. Understanding does not always mean having previously held elected office: infusions of new perspectives and ideas are also vital.

Tell us your favorite joke.

There is a fictional movie poster unacknowledged in the background of an episode of “Bob’s Burgers” promoting “Here We Go Again 2: Here We Go Again!” and thinking about it never fails to make me laugh.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I support the highest standards of financial transparency and government accountability. Public trust depends on people knowing not just what decisions are made, but how and why. City leaders should communicate clearly and make complex information understandable so residents can engage meaningfully. I value strong record-keeping, open data, and systems that help prevent misuse of public funds. Accountability isn't just about exposing wrongdoing; it's about earning public trust through consistent transparency, responsiveness, and responsible leadership.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

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Candidate

Cleveland City Council Ward 12

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