Toledo might have a virtually uncontested mayoral race if no serious challengers emerge to oppose incumbent Democrat Wade Kapszukiewicz, who’s running for a second term in November.
Mr. Kapszukiewicz, 48, would be the first Toledo mayor elected to two consecutive terms in more than 20 years.
Carty Finkbeiner, another Democrat, was the last mayor to run again and win after his first four years in office, serving from 1994 to 2002. He also served a third term beginning in 2006.
Toledo mayors can’t stay in office for more than two consecutive terms per the city’s charter, but they can wait four years and run again.
Mr. Kapszukiewicz would be the second mayor re‑elected under Toledo’s strong‑mayor form of government.
The city switched from a council‑manager system that employed a city manager under the mayor to a strong‑mayor system in 1993.
Toledo has had a string of one‑term mayors since then: Democrat Jack Ford; independent Mike Bell; independent D. Michael Collins — who died while in office — and Democrat Paula Hicks‑Hudson.
There’s still technically time for a serious candidate to jump in the race before September’s nonpartisan primary — the filing deadline isn’t until July. Republicans are still looking into fielding a candidate, Chris Joseph, the party’s Lucas County chairman, said.
“We’re vetting a few people,” he said. “Whether they’ll get to the next step, we haven’t really decided.”
The lack of candidates now also doesn’t mean there aren’t Democrats eyeing bids to succeed Mr. Kapszukiewicz after his second term.
In 2017, Mr. Kapszukiewicz, the former county treasurer who ran as an unendorsed Democrat, beat Ms. Hicks‑Hudson with 55 percent of the vote. For his re-election, he’s picked up the Lucas County Democratic Party’s endorsement.
“It doesn’t really concern me too much, and I say that with all respect,” Mr. Kapszukiewicz said of a potential challenger. “I’m focused on the job I’m doing and I think we’ve had a lot of success in my first term. And whether 20 people decide to run or whether no one decides to run against me, I’ll be ready to make my case and lead Toledo to more success in our second term.”
Mr. Kapszukiewicz said he’s already raised $300,000 for his campaign. As successes, he pointed to the regional water deal, economic development projects, and the city’s handling of the pandemic.
His first term is coming to a close as the Federal Bureau of Investigation probes the city’s Summit Street reconstruction project and as the city looks to allocate $181 million from the latest coronavirus-relief bill.
“No matter what, whether or not someone decides to run, I have the campaign structure in place and the accomplishments in place, to win a second term, and I’m already planning what I’m going to do during that term,” the mayor said.
At least three other prospective candidates have obtained petitions to run, according to the Lucas County Board of Elections: Paul Manning, Reginald Arrington, Jr., and Sharmayne Ivey. But that doesn’t mean they’ll get on the ballot.
Toledo wouldn’t be the first major Ohio city to have a quiet mayoral race in recent years. The incumbent mayors in Columbus and Dayton both won second terms uncontested.
In a bit of self‑deprecating humor, Mr. Kapszukiewicz said anything can still happen between now and November.
“If anyone can lose under these circumstances, it’s me,” he quipped.
First Published May 30, 2021, 10:07 p.m.
