Aug. 22—Nineteen people are jockeying for six at-large seats up for election on Toledo City Council this November, but only 12 will move on from the Sept. 14 primary.
Endorsed Democrats Nick Komives and Katie Moline are running for reelection, while Cerssandra McPherson and Tiffany Preston Whitman, also endorsed by the Lucas County Democratic Party, are running to retain the seats they were appointed to in September 2020.
Democrat Larry Sykes is running for reelection, too, though he voluntarily suspended his formal role as a council member last year after he and fellow Democrats Gary Johnson, Yvonne Harper, and Tyrone Riley were indicted on federal charges of bribery and extortion. He maintains his innocence as his case remains pending in U.S. District Court.
Mr. Johnson, who also voluntarily suspended his council role, is not seeking reelection. Cecelia Adams, also a Democrat, decided not to pursue a third term.
Rob Ludeman, the only Republican currently on the 12-member council, is term limited and so could not run to keep his seat. The Lucas County Republican Party endorsed candidates Tony Dia, Michael Knight, Ron Murphy, and Tim Ryan in hopes of increasing the party’s presence on council.
Newcomers Mac Driscoll and Michele Grim are endorsed by the local Democratic Party, and there’s a slate of four — George Sarantou, Alfonso Narvaez, Harvey Savage Jr., and Jim Hill — who are running as independents backed by mayoral candidate Carty Finkbeiner.
Also running are Republican Tom Names, Democrat Steven Fought, and independents Daniel Ortiz and James Kushlan.
The six at-large seats are elected by voters across Toledo, while the other six seats are filled with candidates selected by voters only in their district. Early voting is underway at the Early Vote Center, located at 1301 Monroe St.
In the nonpartisan primary, Toledoans may vote for up to six of the 19 candidates. The 12 top vote-getters will move on.
Here’s a look at who’s on the ballot:
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Tony Dia
Party: Republican
Age: 51
Occupation: Owner of Napa Auto Care Center and Huss Towing and Service
Top three issues facing Toledo: More police and fire, roads and city landscaping, and crime
Why he’s running: “I am running in honor of my son Ofc. Anthony Dia to give back to the citizens of Toledo for all the support and love they showed our family. Toledo has been home to me almost my entire life and I want to help, in trying to make Toledo one of the greatest Cities in the country.”
Mac Driscoll
Party: Democrat
Age: 29
Occupation: Urban planner at ConnecToledo
Top three issues: Public safety, neighborhood disinvestment, and economic uncertainty
Why he’s running: “In my work with the downtown Toledo development corporation we have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars of private and public investment to downtown Toledo. Downtown Toledo is now the fastest growing neighborhood in the city by population and by private sector investment. We can employ the same strategies we’ve used downtown to make sure our other neighborhoods get the same kind of attention and investment.”
Steven Fought
Party: Democrat
Age: 67
Occupation: Retired
Top three issues: Crime, corruption, and red-light cameras
Why he’s running: “Toledo city government is broken. Corruption lies at the heart of Toledo’s shocking decline. I have the background — a law degree, an MBA, and experience in state and federal government — to help repair the damage caused by 70 years of backroom, insular political leadership.”
Michele Grim
Party: Democrat
Age: 39
Occupation: Public health researcher and educator
Top three issues: The coronavirus pandemic, violent crime, and not enough good-paying jobs
Why she’s running: “I want to help build a safer, healthier community and to create more opportunities for our youth. I have experience that meets the moment as a public health professional, gun violence prevention advocate, and educator.”
Jim Hill
Party: Independent
Age: 74
Occupation: Program manager of technology-based initiatives for large enterprises, states, and cities
Top three issues: Develop new technologies to enhance city services and capabilities, up-skill and diversify the workforce, and attract council members who have experience doing transformational things in business, in government, or in nonprofits
Why he’s running: “Here is what I know how to do that will help Toledo: Develop and implement new technologies, assess the performance of managers and functions, build and work in teams, develop and implement long-term plans, manage large change projects. Here is what I believe: do things right, do the right things, do them economically, do them ethically. Here is what I want to help do: Attract and retain people and enterprises in Toledo and northwest Ohio, provide good jobs, educate and train people to do them well, and promote well-being.”
Michael Knight
Party: Republican
Age: 35
Occupation: Small business owner (Home Slice Pizza and ME, LLC)
Top three issues: Crime, infrastructure, and financial transparency
Why he’s running: “As a lifelong Toledoan I’ve worked hard to get where I am today and dedicated my life to leaving everything better than I found it. I hope to be civil servant for Toledo, to do what is right for my fellow neighbors, and to eventually leave Toledo better than I found it for future generations.”
Nick Komives
Party: Democrat
Age: 37
Occupation: At-large Toledo City Council member
Top three issues: Affordable housing, water and the environment, and rebounding from the coronavirus
Why he’s running: “I am running again to continue to fight on behalf of Toledoans for affordable housing, clean, safe drinking water, and relief from the impacts of COVID-19. I believe the people of this city are resilient and passionate, and they deserve all of the services that provide them a life full of meaning and enrichment. It is time that we have elected leaders who are willing to fight for the things Toledoans deserve, and that is exactly what I will do.”
James Kushlan
Party: Independent
Age: 40
Occupation: Sports broadcaster and assistant program director for WQQO ESPN 100.7 The Ticket
Top three issues: Government corruption, road repairs, and the local environment, specifically dirty water and algae bloom issues
Why he’s running: “I decided to get involved and onto the ballot because corruption permeates all levels and branches of government. All of the various policy proposals any of us want to get done, will not get done until we start rooting out all forms of corruption, forcefully.”
Cerssandra McPherson
Party: Democrat
Age: 61
Occupation: At-large Toledo City Council member and paraprofessional with Toledo Public Schools
Top three issues: Reducing gun violence, identifying equitable ways to allocate the American Rescue Plan funds, and revitalizing Toledo’s neighborhoods
Why she’s running: “I am running to continue to be the voice for all citizens of Toledo on city council. I have and will continue to work with the administration and my fellow council members to prioritize the needs of citizens who are often overlooked — our children and young adults, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Through teamwork, we — as a council — can affect positive change and I am running to drive that change.”
Katie Moline
Party: Democrat
Age: 37
Occupation: At-large Toledo City Council member and certified public accountant, self-employed at Katie Moline Consulting, LLC
Top three issues: Safe neighborhoods with strong and supported public safety, good-paying jobs and economic opportunities for Toledo citizens, and fiscal accountability and transparency of taxpayer dollars
Why she’s running: “I am running because I want to continue the good work I have started on Toledo City Council. As a CPA and since being elected, I have been dedicated to providing strong fiscal oversight by closely examining the City’s budget, and helping steer the City through difficult financial times caused by COVID-19. Additionally, I have introduced and passed legislation to beautify our neighborhoods, improve our police department, progress ethics for Toledo City Council and create a veteran-friendly business enterprise program.”
Ron Murphy
Party: Republican
Age: 41
Occupation: Supervisor for a local nonprofit
Top three issues: Corruption, crime, and communities
Why he’s running: “I’m running for Toledo City Council because I want to help Make Toledo Great Again! Our citizens have been shocked by corruption, scared by crime, and ignored in our communities. I will bring integrity back to the office, support for our law enforcement, and put the focus back on our neighborhoods.”
Tom Names
Party: Republican
Age: 69
Occupation: Professional engineering consultant to the power industry, retired
Top three issues: Safety and security from stray bullets and eviction notices, quality of life for living and raising a family in Toledo neighborhoods, and responsible spending of the infrastructure and pandemic recovery windfalls
Why he’s running: “Since the caveman, the primary responsibility of government is to provide safety and security for its citizens. Toledo government has its priorities backwards with bias toward special interests. As a professional engineer with over 40 years of experience solving problems and overseeing the completion of contracts, I am uniquely qualified to ensure that the windfall recovery money is responsibly spent to benefit all Toledo citizens.”
Alfonso Narvaez
Party: Independent
Age: 30
Occupation: Department supervisor for Lowe’s Perrysburg
Top three issues: Crime, blight, and adequate housing
Why he’s running: “My primary focus is putting a spotlight on our neighborhoods. I am a proven community leader with ground level experience at community organization. We need someone with neighborhood experience on city council.”
Daniel Ortiz
Party: Independent
Age: 30
Occupation: Pharmacy technician
Top three issues: Fair and affordable housing, allocation of city resources, and road conditions
Why he’s running: “The last few years I have seen people more interested in politics than at any other point in my life, and I really believe we need to focus some of that energy on local politics. I think more people need to run for office and you don’t need to come from a certain background or have prior connections to put your hat in the ring and run a good, credible campaign. There are barriers to entry to get into this, but so far I have gotten over those and I want to inspire and help others to do the same.”
Tim Ryan
Party: Republican
Age: 55
Occupation: Small business owner
Top three issues: Crime, drugs, and business opportunities
Why he’s running: “I am a pharmacy owner who has been broken into four times in the past decade. Toledo needs to get a hold on crime and drugs or we will continue to lose citizens to the suburbs and other cities. We need new voices on council speaking to the issues that affect Toledoans every day.”
George Sarantou
Party: Independent
Age: 69
Occupation: Financial advisor
Top three Issues: Increased violent crime, neighborhood blight, and how to spend the American Rescue Plan funds
Why he’s running: “I am running for city council to make Toledo a better city for all citizens. As a former three-term councilman, city finance director, and probate court administrator, I have a record of working collaboratively to meet our community challenges. Finally, as a long time business person, I will bring common sense to city hall.”
Harvey Savage, Jr.
Party: Independent
Age: 77
Top three issues: A culture of violence, how to spend the American Rescue Plan money, and neighborhood blight
Why he’s running: “I am a concerned citizen that has a long history of community service and understanding of our city. I have successfully managed and been a part of a 52-year-old nonprofit started by my father. I feel that my experience and demonstrated managerial and people skills will be an asset to city council.”
Larry Sykes
Party: Democrat
Age: 72
Occupation: At-large Toledo City Council member, suspended; president/CEO of LJSJB & Associates, LLC
Top three issues: The coronavirus pandemic, gun violence, and how to spend the American Rescue Plan money
Why he’s running: “I am seeking re-election to city council to ensure that the legislation and the necessary financial supports for social programs are met to ensure our city is as safe and healthy as possible. I have always been accountable, open, and responsive. And working together, we can all live better.”
Tiffany Preston Whitman
Party: Democrat
Age: 38
Occupation: At-large Toledo City Council member, higher education administrator
Top three issues: Youth investment, gun violence reduction, and job creation and economic development
Why she’s running: “I am running to keep my seat on city council because there’s more work to do to ensure Toledo’s families, neighborhoods, and businesses have opportunities to thrive. As a wife and mother of three and educator, I know first-hand the struggles of Toledo’s working families, especially coming out of the pandemic. My vote will always be a vote for living wage jobs, opportunities for youth, and safe neighborhoods for everyone.”
First Published August 21, 2021, 6:12pm
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