TOLEDO, Ohio — The final step before Toledo voters head to the polls took place on Wednesday, as the Lucas County Board of Elections held a special meeting to review petitions for candidates running in this year’s mayoral race. After verifying signatures and ensuring all requirements were met, the board confirmed that three candidates will appear on the ballot in the May 6 primary election.
Among the candidates approved are incumbent Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, Harold Harris, and Roberto Torres, each of whom gathered the necessary 750 valid signatures to qualify for the race. The board also rejected a petition from Shawn Mahone Sr., founder of a local nonprofit, citing insufficient valid signatures.
Fritz Schoen, chairman of the Lucas County Board of Elections, explained that staff members meticulously checked each petition to ensure the signatures were valid, matching registered voters in Toledo. This process is essential to ensure that only eligible candidates make it onto the ballot. The board then reviewed the findings before giving the final approval.
For Kapszukiewicz, this election marks a historic moment. Thanks to a charter amendment passed by voters last November, the incumbent mayor is seeking a third term—something previously prohibited. Kapszukiewicz expressed his intention to continue building on the city’s progress, particularly in addressing the region’s housing shortage. “I think Toledo is ready to grow as a city. We’ve seen other cities in the Great Lakes region that have seen a lot of population loss and are starting to grow again. We are ready in Toledo to do that,” said Kapszukiewicz. “We don’t have enough housing.”
Torres, who has served as a board member for Toledo Public Schools and previously worked for the city, is focused on reviving community engagement, particularly in combatting crime. He highlighted the decline in neighborhood watch programs, noting that the number of block watches has dropped from 350 to just 50. “Our community is not engaged, and our citizens are not helping out with crime prevention. We need more neighborhood policing,” Torres emphasized.
Meanwhile, Harris, a political newcomer known for his activism, is running on a platform of restoring basic city services, such as street repairs and pothole fixing. He explained that his decision to run came after years of protesting various local issues. “The things that people need in their neighborhoods, the basic services that the people should be providing — the potholes, the streets, the roads — I want to bring those back to the people,” Harris stated.
As the election draws near, Toledoans will have the chance to choose which two of the three candidates will move forward to the November general election. In the primary, voters will narrow the field down to just two contenders for the mayoral seat.
The Board of Elections’ approval of Kapszukiewicz, Torres, and Harris marks the beginning of an exciting race to shape the future of Toledo. With the May 6 primary just around the corner, it’s clear that this year’s mayoral election will be one to watch.