Greg Landsman

Greg Landsman
Born	Gregory John Landsman 4 12, 1976
Birthplace	Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, nonprofit executive
Known for	Defeating 13-term incumbent Steve Chabot in the 2022 congressional election
Education	Ohio University (BA) Harvard University (MA)
Spouse(s)	Sarah Landsman
Children	2
Website	[[landsman.house.gov landsman.house.gov] Official site]

Gregory John Landsman (born December 4, 1976) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from Ohio's 1st congressional district since January 2023. The district, centered on Cincinnati and most of its inner suburbs, had been represented for over two decades by Republican Steve Chabot before Landsman defeated him in the 2022 general election. A member of the Democratic Party, Landsman previously served on the Cincinnati City Council from 2018 to 2022. Before entering elected office, Landsman worked in the nonprofit sector, leading education-focused initiatives in the Cincinnati area. He is a member of the New Democrat Coalition in the U.S. House.

Early Life

Gregory John Landsman was born on December 4, 1976, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in the Cincinnati area, where he would later build his career in public service and nonprofit work. A 2017 profile in the Cincinnati Enquirer described Landsman as a "boxer" and "peacemaker," characterizations that spoke to both his personal background and his approach to civic engagement.

Landsman's early life in Cincinnati shaped his interest in education and community development. Before pursuing a career in politics, he became involved in efforts to improve educational outcomes for children in the Cincinnati area, work that would eventually lead him into both nonprofit leadership and elected office.

Education

Landsman attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later pursued graduate studies at Harvard University, where he earned a Master of Arts degree. His educational background informed his subsequent work in education policy and nonprofit management in the Cincinnati region.

Career

Nonprofit Work and Education Advocacy

Before entering electoral politics, Landsman spent years working in the nonprofit sector, with a particular focus on education. He served as a leader of the StrivePartnership, a Cincinnati-based organization focused on improving educational outcomes for young people in the region. In December 2015, the Cincinnati Business Courier reported that Landsman was departing his top role at the StrivePartnership to pursue other endeavors.

During his time in the education sector, Landsman was involved in efforts to support the passage of Issue 44, a Cincinnati public school levy that was on the ballot in November 2016. The levy took a strong early lead on election night. His work on education issues provided a foundation for his eventual transition into public office.

Cincinnati City Council (2018–2022)

In January 2017, Landsman announced his candidacy for Cincinnati City Council. Running as a Democrat in the city's at-large council elections, he campaigned on issues including education, public safety, and community development. In the November 2017 election, Landsman was among the top vote-getters and secured a seat on the council. He took office on January 2, 2018, succeeding Kevin Flynn.

During his tenure on Cincinnati City Council, Landsman served from 2018 through 2022. His time on the council was marked by both legislative work and controversy. The council was embroiled in the so-called "Gang of Five" scandal, a corruption investigation involving text message communications among five council members. In September 2020, it was reported that no criminal charges were filed against the council members involved. The case had drawn significant public attention and involved a special prosecution process that was closely tracked by local media.

In the 2021 Cincinnati municipal elections, council results were closely watched as the city also elected a new mayor. Landsman remained on the council through this period. He would ultimately serve on the council until December 19, 2022, when he resigned ahead of being sworn into Congress. Seth Walsh succeeded him on the council.

2022 Congressional Campaign

In late 2021, Democrats began targeting Ohio's 1st congressional district as a potential pickup opportunity, with Landsman emerging as a candidate to challenge the long-serving Republican incumbent Steve Chabot. In January 2022, Landsman formally announced his bid for Congress.

The race attracted national attention, as Chabot had held the seat for 13 terms and was one of the most senior Republicans in the Ohio delegation. Landsman campaigned on issues including education, the economy, and reproductive rights, the latter of which gained heightened salience following the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court decision in June 2022. The Dayton Daily News covered Landsman's challenge to Chabot as a significant contest in the region.

On November 8, 2022, Landsman defeated Chabot in what FOX19 described as a "surprise win for Democrats." The victory was notable given the national political environment of the 2022 midterms, in which Republicans had been expected to make significant gains. Landsman's win was one of several Democratic victories in competitive House races that helped the party limit Republican gains. Official results from the Ohio Secretary of State confirmed Landsman's victory in Ohio's 1st congressional district.

U.S. House of Representatives (2023–present)

Landsman was sworn into office on January 3, 2023, as the representative for Ohio's 1st congressional district. He joined the New Democrat Coalition, a caucus of moderate and pro-business Democrats in the House. His campaign and official activities are tracked through federal election filings with the Federal Election Commission.

During his time in Congress, Landsman has focused on constituent services and local issues, an approach highlighted in a September 2025 profile by Soapbox Cincinnati, which noted that when Landsman "talks about politics, he rarely starts with Washington. He starts at home: the family struggling with rising" costs and other local concerns.

Landsman's votes in Congress have drawn scrutiny from both the left and the right. In October 2025, Signal Ohio reported that Landsman faced pushback from Democratic voters in a blue Ohio county over his position on the conflict in Gaza. From the right, the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity held a rally in Lebanon, Ohio, in November 2025 to "hold Rep. Greg Landsman accountable" on various policy issues.

In February 2026, the Warren County Post reported on Landsman's explanation of his vote against the SAVE America Act, providing a window into his legislative reasoning and approach to constituent communication through his newsletter.

Landsman has also faced partisan attacks regarding federal spending. In February 2026, the National Republican Congressional Committee accused Landsman of "taking credit for federal funding that he voted against," a practice that the National Review described more broadly as "vote no and take the dough," noting that several Democratic representatives had held events celebrating community project funding from spending bills they had opposed.

2026 Congressional Primary

In February 2026, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Landsman would face Damon Lynch IV in the May 2026 Democratic congressional primary, giving Cincinnati-area Democrats a choice in the primary election. The general election field also includes other candidates; in February 2026, FOX19 reported that a Libertarian candidate for the district was indicted following a Cincinnati hit-and-run incident.

Personal Life

Landsman is married to Sarah Landsman. The couple has two children. The family resides in the Cincinnati area. Landsman has been described as someone whose political identity is rooted in local community and neighborhood engagement.