Incumbent Toledo City Council members have been returned to their district seats and one at-large seat that were up for grabs in contested races in Tuesday’s election.
With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, unofficial results show incumbent Councilman John Hobbs III leading challenger Shaun Strong for the District 1 seat by 3,981-2,392.
The district covers parts of central, West, and South Toledo.
Mr. Hobbs held numerous community meetings throughout his campaign and focused on several issues including crime reduction, while Mr. Strong said he would focus on supporting small businesses among other priorities if elected. Both men are endorsed Democrats.
Unofficial results show District 5 incumbent Sam Melden ahead of challenger Tom Names by 7,315-3,447.
Mr. Melden, an endorsed Democrat, focused his campaign on strengthening neighborhoods and environmental issues in the district, which covers the Old Orchard neighborhood and Franklin Park Mall areas. Mr. Names, a Republican, attended several meetings opposing the I-475 expansion while also expressing his support of repairing the Bay View Wastewater Treatment Plant as long as Toledo leaders provide more transparency on the work needed.
Mr. Melden said Tuesday evening that he appreciates the support and the vote of confidence to serve another term.
“It’s an honor to be considered with this responsibility again,” Mr. Melden said. “When you run for re-election you’re running on your record and to have the vote of confidence of people is a real honor.”
At-large Councilman Carrie Hartman won big over challenger Kristi Kille by 27,929-11,812.
“I’m just so happy and proud and honored to have this amount of support from Toledo voters,” Ms. Hartman said. “I think this means that they have faith in me and that makes me feel great. This is all I have ever wanted to do is to continue to do good work in Toledo. It’s very exciting..”
Ms. Hartman has experience working in the Toledo administration and is a strong proponent of union labor and reproductive rights. Ms. Kille believes that Toledo government should be more transparent and she does not support reproductive rights for women such as abortion even in instances of rape, incest, or if a mother’s life is in danger.
Ms. Hartman will now fill the remainder of what would have been former councilman Michele Grim’s term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2025. Ms. Grim was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives last year, and Ms. Hartman was appointed to her seat in January by a vote of council.
The incumbents who ran unopposed include Theresa Morris of District 6, which covers Point Place and parts of West Toledo; Vanice Williams of District 4, which covers central Toledo; and Theresa Gadus of District 3, which covers portions of East and South Toledo.
Also unopposed was Adam Martinez, a Democrat who was the only candidate vying to fill the District 2 council seat, which had been occupied by council president Matt Cherry, who was term-limited out of office.
First Published November 8, 2023, 4:06 a.m.
