Michael Ashford will resign from his post as chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party, he confirmed Wednesday.
Mr. Ashford, who is also Lucas County recorder, has served as chairman since late 2020 and described the job as challenging and time-consuming.
The resignation will take effect at the end of the month.
Mr. Ashford noted that “2024 is a presidential year as well as a city campaign and congressional race.
“My first responsibility is to serve as recorder,” he said. “During a presidential year, the chair works a minimum 40-hour work week, and I do not have the time to do that.”
Mr. Ashford said that during the 2020 presidential election cycle he was involved as a volunteer and observed how much work it was even in that capacity. He is planning on running for re-election as Lucas County recorder in 2024 and wants to place his energy there.
"We're grateful for Chair Ashford's long record of service to the Lucas County Democratic Party and to the Ohio Democratic Party as a whole,” Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Liz Walters said in a statement. “We wish him all the best in his race for Lucas County recorder, and we will be working closely with local party officials to ensure a smooth transition in leadership."
A new chairman is expected to be elected in early April when the Lucas County Democratic Party plans to hold its next central committee meeting.
Still, Mr. Ashford said he is proud of what he accomplished over his tenure as chairman, achieving an 88 percent winning record in elections, including many upsets, and keeping the party running during the coronavirus pandemic.
He said now is the right time to pass the torch.
“There have been 10 chairs of the Lucas County Democratic Party in 18 years,” Mr. Ashford said, noting he has been thinking about stepping down for a little while. “You can see that people do not finish out their term because it is so time-consuming and grueling.”
Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken said he has known Mr. Ashford for decades and wishes him well, mentioning that now is a good time to make a change in leadership ahead of the 2024 election in which there are several important races that Democrats want to win and get big a turnout for.
“Life moves, and people make decisions that they can’t do things as well. He thought it was a good time to concentrate on his race next year and his office,” Mr. Gerken said of Mr. Ashford. “It is time for everyone to take a fresh look.
“Lucas County always needs to do better than the last election,” Mr. Gerken said. “Now is the time to reset and get people excited and reach out to people that we have not talked to before.”
“Michael did his share, and it is time to move on,” Mr. Gerken said.
Mr. Gerken said state senator and former Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson has his support as a potential replacement as party chairman.
Organizing, raising money, and recruiting good candidates and people in precincts will be the party’s job until a new chairman is elected, Mr. Gerken said.
“With her history and legacy as a state representative and former mayor she carries a lot of respect,” Mr. Gerken said of Ms. Hicks-Hudson. “We are going to tap on women’s leadership, especially a legacy woman like Paula Hicks-Hudson and that is the direction the party is going to move in.
A telephone message was left on Wednesday for Sen. Hicks-Hudson.
First Published March 15, 2023, 6:48 p.m.
