Incumbent Democratic County Executive Armond Budish was eligible to run for a third term, but instead chose to retire.

[13] In December 2021, one month after incumbent Armond Budish announced that he would not run for reelection, Maple Heights mayor Annette Blackwell entered the race after prematurely launching her campaign website.

[15] Just two days after Blackwell dropped out, on January 5 Warrensville Heights mayor Brad Sellers launched his campaign.

[18] On January 13, former Ohio State Senator Shirley Smith, who had run for the office unsuccessfully in 2014, announced her candidacy.

[20] With Smith's withdrawal from the race, Ronayne faced Tariq Shabazz in the primary election and won with 66% of the vote.