Mayoral candidate Mike Ferner today claimed the endorsement of former Republican Congressman Ed Weber.

Mr. Weber, of Toledo, served one term, 1981 and 1982, after he defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Lud Ashley (D., Toledo). He was then defeated by Democrat Marcy Kaptur in 1982. Miss Kaptur, of Toledo, continues to hold the seat.

Mr. Weber joined forces with Mr. Ferner in unsuccessfully opposing plans by ProMedica to build a six-story parking garage in Promenade Park. City Council approved the plans as part of ProMedica’s move to convert the vacant former Toledo Edison Steam Plant into his headquarters for 1,000 employees, with more expected to come.

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“He’s the best candidate to help Toledo become a city where people want to come and live,” Mr. Weber said, calling him, “warm, friendly, an organizer, … a leader, he’s got ideals, stands up for what’s right.”

Mr. Weber said he’s no longer a Republican because he thinks income inequality needs to be addressed and because he supports national health care. He said he was not disturbed about supporting someone who considers himself a socialist, as Mr. Ferner does.

Mr. Ferner said the garage has already been approved, but he intends to meet with ProMedica CEO Randy Oostra “and see if he has additional insight into what’s the public interest.” He said if Mr. Oostra doesn’t change his mind about the garage then he would enforce the public access to Promenade Park that ProMedica has promised.

Mr. Ferner, Mr. Weber, and others wanted ProMedica to build a garage underground. ProMedica said an underground garage was not cost-effective. The health system plans to spend $20 million on the garage.

Mr. Ferner said he considers himself a socialist “with a small ’s’,” and said he did not endorse government takeover of private businesses.

First Published October 27, 2015, 4:08 p.m.