Prosecutor Michael O’Malley (left) and challenger Matthew Ahn
Prosecutor Michael O’Malley (left) and challenger Matthew Ahn

The March 19 Ohio primary election will determine who moves on to the general election in November as the endorsed Democratic candidate for county prosecutor. In heavily Democratic Cuyahoga County, the party’s endorsement is a huge advantage.

The current prosecutor, Michael O’Malley, 60, is seeking a third four-year term. He faces a challenge from first-time candidate Matthew Ahn, a 32-year-old former assistant law professor. 

In January, the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party opted not to formally back either candidate in the primary race. O’Malley fell just short of the 60% of votes needed for the endorsement.

Signal Cleveland looked into the records and promises of both candidates to prepare these voter guides. We paid particular attention to four issues: bindovers, the term for transferring juveniles between 14 and 17 to adult court; diversion, or alternatives to jail for low-level offenses; plans for a new county jail; and cash bail.
Click on each candidate’s name for more info.

Voter guides

Ahn has criticized O’Malley on bindover and diversion policies, saying the incumbent is out of step with both research and the community. O’Malley defends his record and says some of Ahn’s campaign promises are impractical or legally impossible.

While O’Malley highlights his experience in the office and in criminal justice, Ahn points to data and research to promote new ideas that look at crime prevention that can lead to long-term crime reduction.

O’Malley has relied on existing supporters and partnerships to promote his candidacy and has been endorsed by several mayors of Cuyahoga County cities.

Ahn has campaigned with and gotten support from progressive groups such as Stonewall Democrats and leaders of Black Lives Matter – Cleveland.

Some of the quotes we used are from a recent forum organized by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

YouTube video

O’Malley and Ahn are scheduled to debate at a City Club of Cleveland forum on March 5, moderated by Signal Cleveland’s government reporter, Nick Castele. Tickets are available until March 1, and the event will be streamed live at the link above.

The race will be decided on primary election day, March 19. Early voting is already underway.

Editor’s note: this report was updated to clarify that Greater Cleveland Congregations does not endorse candidates.

A freelance reporter based in Arizona, Stephanie was the inaugural criminal justice reporter with Signal Cleveland until October 2024. She wrote about the criminal legal system, explaining the complexities and shedding light on injustices/inequities in the system and centering the experiences of justice-involved individuals, both victims and people who go through the criminal legal system and their families.