Toledo, Ohio — Voters in Lucas County made their voices heard during the Toledo mayoral primary and a series of critical tax levy proposals on Tuesday. Incumbent Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, who is running for a third term, secured over 50% of the votes and will advance to the general election in November, where he will face challenger Roberto Torres. Torres managed to surpass third candidate Harold Harris by about 360 votes, making his campaign particularly notable.
Kapszukiewicz expressed gratitude for the support from the community, stating, “I’m thankful to the voters for continuing to show confidence in my leadership as we all work together to move Toledo forward.” He emphasized the improvements in public safety, economic development, and infrastructure in Toledo, indicating a desire to build on the progress made during his tenure.
Torres highlighted the significance of his candidacy for the Latino community, pointing out that it would be historic as he aims to become the first person of Latino descent to reach the general election in Toledo. He noted, “This is a grassroots campaign … really done by the people in the community who have stepped forward and said we need change.”
Additionally, voters approved the Toledo Metroparks levy, which will fund the maintenance of all 19 parks in the area for the next decade, with 52% backing the initiative. The election results also featured various other tax proposals aimed at enhancing fire services, road improvements, and general operations, showcasing the community’s commitment to improving local services.
As the community looks forward to the November election, Kapszukiewicz and Torres represent distinct visions for Toledo’s future, providing voters with a clear choice in leadership and priorities. The engagement seen in these elections underscores the active role of the voters in shaping their city’s direction.
This primary sets the stage for what could be a transformative election period for Toledo, reflecting the city’s evolving demographics and grassroots movements.