Lucas County Board of Elections says treasurer primary is May 8

By Ryan Dunn - Jan 25, 2018

A primary election for the Lucas County treasurer’s position is set for May 8, the county Board of Elections director said Wednesday.

Any partisan candidate who chooses to run for the unexpired term must file by Feb. 7. Those interested are required to submit petitions with 50 valid signatures, Director LaVera Scott said.

Lindsay Webb, appointed by the county Democratic Party Central Committee to succeed Wade Kapszukiewicz, now occupies the post and has said she intends to run for election. Ms. Scott said no applicants have yet filed.

Democratic and Republican candidates who receive the most votes in the primary would continue to the November general election.

Joshua Hughes, the county Democratic chairman, previously said he did not think a primary would occur, and that Ms. Webb must instead file a petition by Aug. 8 to appear on the November ballot. Mr. Hughes did not return a call seeking comment Wednesday.

Jon Stainbrook, the county Republican chairman, said his party is still soliciting candidates for upcoming races.

As to whether the Republican primary will include multiple candidates, Mr. Stainbrook said, “We will know that when all petitions are filed Feb. 7.”

District Councilman Tom Waniewski has pulled petitions for both treasurer and county commissioner. However, he said Wednesday he hasn't made a decision on submitting signed petitions for any upcoming vacancy in the November election.,

"I really don't know what I am going to do," said Mr. Waniewski, a Republican. "Running for mayor took a lot out of me. I am perfectly happy if I don't do anything and stay on council. I still have two years left on my council term. I would like to finish that out."

Since taking out petitions for treasurer and commissioner, Mr. Waniewski said another possibility would be to seek the 45th district Ohio House of Representatives seat, now held by term-limited state Rep. Teresa Fedor (D., Toledo).

A campaign for county commissioner would mean opposing Carol Contrada, who has been on the county board since 2011.

Ms. Webb initially stepped aside after her appointment as treasurer because she was unable to secure a required surety bond but ultimately obtained coverage. Mr. Kapszukiewicz had resigned as treasurer after taking office as Toledo’s mayor Jan. 2.

Blade staff writer Mark Reiter contributed to this report.

Contact Ryan Dunn at rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @RDunnBlade.