John Kulewicz
John Kulewicz | |
|---|---|
 Kulewicz in 2025 | |
| Born | John Kulewicz March 22, 1954 Martin's Ferry, Ohio, U.S. |
| Education | |
Political party | Democratic |
| Website | Campaign website |
John J. Kulewicz (born March 22, 1954) is an American retired attorney and city councilor who is the Democratic nominee for Ohio Attorney General in 2026.[1] As a litigator, Kulewicz has argued a number of prominent cases, including appearing in front of the United States Supreme Court in the 2022 case of Marietta Memorial Hospital Employee Health Benefit Plan v. DaVita Inc..[2]
Early life and education
Kulewicz was born on March 22, 1954,[3] the son of Stanley and Marian (née Tuggle) Kulewicz.[jk 1] Kulewicz grew up in Columbus, Ohio where he attended St. Francis DeSales High School.[jk 1] He later attended Ohio State University[4][5][6] studying American History.[6] After graduating from Ohio State, Kulewicz attended Yale Law School,[4][5] graduating in 1979.[6] Kulewicz also clerked for Judge Gilbert S. Merritt Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.[3]
Career
Legal career
Beginning in 1981, Kulewicz began work at Columbus-based law firm Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease in the litigation division, eventually becoming the head of the appellate division of his law firm, and then partner in 1987.[jk 1]
In 2018 and 2019, Kulewicz was named in Yale Law School's Best Lawyers in America, specifically in the fields of Appellate Law and Civil Rights litigation.[7][8] In 2022, he appeared in front of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Marietta Memorial Hospital Employee Health Benefit Plan v. DaVita Inc..[2]
Kulewicz retired from the firm in December 2024.[5]
Political career
In 2019, Kulewicz was elected to his first term on Upper Arlington City Council.[9] In 2023, Kulewicz was re-elected to a second term.[10]
In September 2025, Kulewicz announced his candidacy for the 2026 election for Ohio Attorney General.[1] Kulewicz won his primary against former State Representative Elliot Forhan with 63.16% of the vote.[11] He is set to face Republican Keith Faber in the general election in November 2026.[11]
Other
In 1984, Kulewicz worked as the Ohio campaign manager for presidential candidate and former Colorado Senator Gary Hart.[4][6]
Kulewicz served on the board of the Columbus Zoo from 1982–2016, including as board president.[12] Kulewicz has also served as president of the board of Catholic Social Services, president of the Columbus chapter of the Federal Bar Association, an officer of the Ohio Historical Society Board, and a member of the Ohio Bicentennial Commission.[13]
Critical reception
Of his autobiography, An Ohioan’s Odyssey—Lessons in Leadership, Law, and Public Service, Ellen Connally wrote on behalf of Cool Cleveland; it "is the story of one person’s formative years and career and how many people affected his life. [It] will warm your heart".[12]
Of the book, the Book Revue said "Kulewicz's writing is characterized by clarity and sincerity, making complex legal and political topics accessible to a broad audience... An Ohioan's Odyssey is not merely a memoir; it is a thoughtful analysis of the fundamental principles that underpin effective leadership and civic engagement."[14]
Personal life
Kulewicz is married to his wife Maryline, whom he met while working on the Gary Hart campaign. The couple have two children, and reside in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
Kulewicz is also an avid swimmer, having captained three relay teams that crossed the English Channel,[5] and having swam the Strait of Gibraltar,[5] the Bosporus Strait, and the Sea of Galilee.[12] In 2018, Kulewicz was part of a memorial swim in the Solomon Islands, consisting of a six-member team that swam the route of the survivors of the shipwreck of Navy patrol boat, PT 109, which was commanded by John F. Kennedy.[15]
References
- 1 2 Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland com (2025-09-11). "Columbus-area lawyer joins Democratic race for Ohio attorney general in 2026". cleveland. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- 1 2 Raymond, Nate (June 22, 2022). "U.S. Supreme Court rules against DaVita over dialysis coverage". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
John Kulewicz, a lawyer for Marietta's plan, thanked the court "for the close reading that it has given to the Medicare Secondary Payer Act."
- 1 2 (Unknown), Emmie (Mar 23, 1980). "Friends Help Strat Mark 80th Birthday at Brunch". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. Retrieved 28 August 2026 – via newspapers.com.
No one could have been more surprised than John Kulewicz last night on his 26th birthday... John is formerly from Columbus, Ohio, and is now a law clerk for the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals with Judge Gilbert Merritt
- 1 2 3 Jacobs, John (May 9, 1984). "The Man who Made Hart's Win in Ohio Possible". The San Francisco Examiner. pp. A2. Retrieved 28 August 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Bischoff, Laura (May 3, 2026). "Two Ohio Democrats Competing in Primary for State Attorney General". The Cincinnati Enquirer. USA Today. pp. 18A. Retrieved 28 August 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 "Hart Coordinator Has Won Cudos". Telegraph-Forum. Bucyrus, Ohio. May 14, 1984. p. 11. Retrieved 28 August 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Kulewicz '79 Named to Best Lawyers in America". Yale Law School. 2017-08-29. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ↑ "J. Kulewicz '79 Included in 2019 Best Lawyers in America". Yale Law School. 2018-08-30. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ↑ Ellis, Nat. "Upper Arlington: Kulewicz, Burriss, King take council seats". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ↑ "2023 Franklin County Election Results for Nov. 7". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- 1 2 "Columbus lawyer John Kulewicz wins Ohio Democratic primary for Attorney General • Ohio Capital Journal". Ohio Capital Journal. 2026-05-05. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- 1 2 3 "Book Review: John J. Kulewicz: "An Ohioan's Odyssey—Lessons in Leadership, Law, and Public Service Review by C. Ellen Connally". CoolCleveland. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ↑ "Staff Directory • John J. Kulewicz". Upper Arlington City Council (Ohio). Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ↑ Reimers, William (2025-06-27). "An Ohioan's Odyssey: Lessons in Leadership, Law, and Public Service". TheBookRevue. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ Munatones, Steven (2018-08-14). "Remembering PT 109 With An Open Water Memorial Swim". World Open Water Swimming Association. Retrieved 2026-03-16.