In partnership with Jaden Jefferson Reports, La Prensa, The Sojourner’s Truth, and WTOL11
TOLEDO – November is not so far off, and with it comes a general election with the potential of mixing up much of Lucas County’s elected officials.
98 officials will be elected in Lucas County during the Tuesday, Nov. 4 General Election. Trustees, mayors and city council members may all see some changes as people cast their votes.
Six At-Large City Council positions and the city’s main executive one, the mayor, will all be up for grabs this year in Toledo.
As we continue to cover these candidates, we will add to the guide up until the November election.
Mayoral Candidates
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Political Experience:
Mayor of Toledo 2018-present
Chairman of the Lucas County Landbank from 2010-2019
Lucas County Treasurer 2005-2018
Toledo City Council Member from 1999-2003
Education:
Undergraduate: Bachelor’s in journalism and political science from Marquette University in 1994
Valedictorian of the College of Communication, Journalism, and Performing Arts.
Graduate: Master’s in public policy from the University of Michigan
Professional experience:
Worked for New Ohio Institute, a public policy research organization that studied issues affecting Ohio’s urban areas
Taught at both Lourdes University and Owens Community College as an adjunct professor during his time on City Council.
Website and links: wadekap.com
Roberto Torres
Political Experience:
Director/Advisor of the Mayor’s Office Immigrant Affairs and Economic Inclusion for Detroit, Michigan 2018-2025
Executive Director of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan 2015-2017
Executive Director of the Northwest Ohio Chamber of Commerce 2013-2015
Director of Economic Development Canton, Ohio 2008-2012
Manager of Economic Development Specialist Toledo, Ohio 2006-2008
Director of the Office Latino Affairs Toledo, Ohio 2003-2006
Director of the Toledo Youth Commission Toledo, Ohio 1998-2003
Education:
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts from Bowling Green State University, 1985
Professional Experience:
Consultant with Catholic Youth and School Services in Toledo
United States Marine Corps
Website: torresfortoledo.com
Harold Harris
*Harris is a write-in candidate
Harold Harris is an independent seeking the office of mayor in Toledo as a write-in candidate. He lost the primary election to Kapszukiewicz and Torres, but continues to campaign. Jaden Jefferson spoke to Harris ahead of the primary election in the Spring, where he shared his main goal for Toledo, reducing crime, specifically gun violence.
Political Experience:
Harris believes his grass roots organizing over the past six years is good preparation for his run for Mayor.
Professional experience:
Harris achieved the E-6 rank of Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force.
He served in the Air Force for 20 years from the Vietnam War into the Gulf War era from 1974 to 1994
Website and links: haroldharrisfortoledo.com
At-Large Toledo City Council Candidate
THE LATEST: *On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Carrie Hartman resigned from her role on Toledo City Council and resigned from the 2025 race.
RELATED: Inside Toledo City Council: Latest on Carrie Hartman’s resignation
Edwin J. Beczynski
Education:
High School: Bowsher High School, 1980
Professional experience:
Served in the United States Air Force from 1980-1985
Local Restauranteur
Website: edfortoledo.com/
Toledo Chamber blog
Emily Desmond
*Desmond is a write-in candidate who just announced her run in early October.
October 13, 2025 edition of Jaden Jefferson’s TFP The Weekend where he sits down with Toledo City Council At-Large write-in candidate, Emily Desmond. Desmond shares her hope for the future of Toledo, its neighborhoods and salient issues she wishes to advocate for.
Political Experience:
Volunteered for Nick Komives’s Toledo City Council campaign; supported State Representative Michele Grim and Ohio Senate candidate Reem Subei.
Supported the grassroots coalition Toledo Persists.
A founding member of Toledo Area Progressives.
Toledo SOUP, committee member, 2012-2015
Uptown Board, board member, 2025-2017
Toledo Area Progressives, founding member, 2017
Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful 2021-2024
Urban Wholistics, fundraising and events volunteer, 2024-present
Toledo Rotary, member, August 2025-present
Professional Experience:
Communications Specialist for Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE) 2021-Present
Editor-in-Chief Swell Magazine 2021-Present
Marketing Specialist for Balance Pan-Asian Grille 2018-2020
Public Relations Specialist for the Toledo Museum of Art 2017-2018
Content Specialist for ProMedica 2013-2016
Social Media Director/Content Editor at Thrive Media 2011-2013
Founder/President of Social B. Creative 2011-Present
Writer and Media Assistant for Propel Media 2010-2011
Writer & Arts and Entertainment Editor for the Toledo City Paper 2007-2010
Education:
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science in Print Journalism from Bowling Green State University, 2008 with minors in Early Childhood Education and Popular Culture
Website: socialbcreative.com and swell.socialbcreative.com
Mac Driscoll
Political Experience:
Has served as City Council Member At-Large since February 2024
Professional Experience:
Planner at ConecToledo 2018- present
Planning Intern at Toledo Design Collective
Education:
Undergraduate: University of Toledo, 2014
Graduate: Cleveland State University, 2018
Website: macfortoledo.com/
Blair M. Johnson
Professional Experience:
BMJ Enterprises, General Contractor and Handyman
BMJ Auto & Logistics LLC Owner
Breaking the Glass Founder
Project Toledo 419
Education:
High School: Start High School
Associate: Owens Community College, Criminal Justice and Corrections
Undergraduate: Attended University of Toledo
Contact information:
Phone: 419-407-6512
Email: [email protected]
Website: blairjohnson4toledo.com/
Social media: facebook.com/BlairJohnson4Toledo
To learn more about Blair Johnson, read “Fixing What’s Broken: A Conversation with BMJ Enterprises Founder and City Council Candidate” by Asia Nail with The Sojourner’s Truth, one of our TFP Voting Guide partners.
Brittany D. Jones
Political Experience:
City Council Member At-Large since February 2024
Professional Experience:
Survey & Evaluation Analyst for the United Way of Greater Toledo 2022 to present
Growing Back To Your Roots, Founder/CEO (2015 – Present)
Central State University, Lucas County Agent | Family & Consumer Sciences (2017 – 2018)
Children’s Hunger Alliance, School & Summer Nutrition Manager (2015 – 2016)
United North Corporation, Housing Program Coordinator (2014 – 2015)
Education:
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts Public Affairs, Journalism The Ohio State University 2009
Graduate: Master of Arts in City/Urban community and regional planning from Wayne State University 2015
PhD: Doctor of Philosophy in spatial integrated social science from the University of Toledo 2021
Website: brittany4toledo.com/
Nick Komives
Political Experience:
Toledo City Council Member At-Large since 2018
Professional Experience:
Executive Director of Equality Toledo since 2015
Development Officer at the United Way of Greater Toledo since 2015
Education:
Undergraduate: The University of Toledo Bachelor of Arts in Law and Social Thought, 2012
Associates: Owens Community College Associates in Arts in English, 2010
Social media: facebook.com/nickkomives
For more information on Nick Komives, take a look at this WTOL11 interview with him from September. WTOL11 is a media partner of the Toledo Free Press.
Erin Kramer
Professional Experience:
Owens Community College Director of Admissions, Adjunct Instructor, Admissions Representative, 2017-present
University of Toledo Success Coach, Adjunct Instructor, 2007-2019
Education:
Undergraduate: University of Toledo Bachelor of Arts in Communication 1996
Graduate: University of Toledo Master of Arts in English Literature 2005
Website: kramerforcouncil.com
Cerssandra McPherson
Political Experience:
Toledo City Council Member At-Large since 2020
Professional Experience:
Special education paraprofessional for 32 years in Toledo Public Schools
Education:
University of Toledo
Website: mcphersonforcouncil.com/meet_cerssandra
Tom Names
Political Experience:
Involved in northwest Ohio politics since 2017, when he ran for Toledo Council but was defeated in the primary.
In 2019, Names ran for Toledo City Council again for the District 5 seat; he lost to Sam Melden
In 2020, Names ran for Lucas County Commissioner as a Republican, losing to Tina Wozniak.
Groups:
Coalition for Peaceful Toledo Neighborhoods
American Legion
Tree Toledo
Sylvania Moose Lodge
Bavarian Sports Club
Hungarian Club
Professional Experience:
Worked at Solid Fuels Technology
Principal Engineer at Burns and Roe Enterprises, Inc.
Education:
Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan
Undergraduate: Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Lafayette College
Website: toledovotes.com/candidate/tom-names/
Social Media: facebook.com/Tom4Toledo
Contact: [email protected]
Rob Pasker
Professional Experience:
Won 20 under 40 Toledo award 2024
Certified Branch Office Manager with NID Housing
Broker/owner of Pasker Real Estate
President of Pasker & Associates LTD
Co-Found of Go Matcha, Go
Substitute teacher for Toledo Public Schools
Education:
Associates: Columbus State Community College Associate of Arts
Bachelors: Franklin University Bachelors of Business Administration
Website: paskerfortoledo.com/
Social media: facebook.com/RobPTV
Contact: [email protected]
George Sarantou
Political Experience:
Toledo City Council Member since 2021
Finance Director for the City of Toledo
Probate Court Administrator
Professional Experience:
Financial Advisor for three decades
Reading mentor with TPS
Website: votesarantou.com/
Tom Waniewski
Political experience:
Served as a Toledo City Council Member for District 5 from 2007 to 2020
Ran for Lucas County Commissioner 2024, and lost to Pete Gerken
2017 ran for mayor of Toledo, but lost the primary to current mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz.
Professional experience:
Worked as an investigative reporter before moving into politics
Started Access Toledo
Served as chairman of the United Way Board
Retired as development director of Catholic Charities
Website: tomwa.wordpress.com/
High school: St. Francis de Sales School
Undergraduate degree: University of Toledo, 1978
Graduate degree: Bowling Green State University, 1998
Issues on the ballot
Issue 1:
(Renewal) A Lucas County Tax Levy for Lucas County Children Services for 1.8 mills which equals $39 per $100,000 of property. $14,069,600 is the estimated amount the levy will raise for LCCS. The Levy will be for the next five years.
Issue 14:
Ballot 13I: Will Liquor, Wine & Spirits be sold on Sunday at Batroon3, LLC (Top Shelf Liquor) 3303 Dorr Street
