David Esrati is a first generation American, born in Celina Ohio, raised in Cleveland Heights.
He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1980, entered the US Army in 1981 and served with 7th Special Forces Group at Ft. Bragg and then the 11th Special Forces Group in Jamestown Ohio as a reservist.
A Wright State University graduate, he has a BSB in Marketing.
He has lived in the South Park Historic district since Jan 28, 1986 (the day the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded) in a 2 story frame home that he bought for $14,500 while a sophomore in college. His first introduction to politics was when the city cited him for putting up the wrong kind of garage door and took him to court. The lack of support from elected officials inspired him to run for Mayor against Clay Dixon in 1993. That was the year another political neophyte, Mike Turner also ran for mayor. Often getting confused for each other on the campaign trail, Esrati was the one who financed his own campaign with $1000 and eschewed donations.