By Rev. Donald L. Perryman, Ph.D.
The Truth Contributor
Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. – Mike Tyson
Toledo’s mayoral race may still have a few weeks to go, but all signs suggest “it’s all over but the shouting,” with incumbent Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz cruising toward re-election.
Comfortably ahead in the polls, Wade has chosen a low-risk strategy designed to reinforce familiarity, keep the voters’ attention on him and maintain momentum without the intensity of a truly contested campaign.
Kapszukiewicz has governed as an archetypal technocrat, a capable and competent manager of city operations who has kept Toledo steady amid stormy economic and political headwinds. As one observer put it, “He’s managing decline more than growth, but at least he’s managing.” For many voters, that’s enough. They may not see a bold vision for the future, but they also don’t see chaos, controversy or crisis.
The mayor’s well-funded campaign adds another layer of inevitability. With roughly a quarter-million dollars (or more) in his war chest, he has been able to keep himself in front of voters without breaking a sweat.
Recently, however, Kapszukiewicz has amped up his campaign, unleashing a flurry of yard signs, television commercials, Rotary appearances and parade cameos, reminding voters who already occupies the top office at city hall. It’s a low-risk, high-visibility strategy meant to reinforce a single impression: things are steady under Wade.
Roberto Torres, meanwhile, has yet to articulate why that steadiness isn’t enough. He has been visible at community events, active on social media and even creative in finding ways to appear in public spaces, but his message hasn’t resonated.
As one political observer stated, “Torres hasn’t made any statement or position that is fundamentally going to change the way things are run. He hasn’t compelled anybody to say, ‘vote for me because I’m going to make Toledo better.’ So, there’s no real reason for voters to switch. Essentially, his campaign is just, ‘I’m not Wade.’”
In the absence of a clear contrast and without the resources to saturate the airwaves or flood mailboxes, Torres’ efforts have struggled to reach beyond his base. Those familiar with local politics estimate it takes at least $100,000 to mount a serious mayoral run in Toledo. Without that kind of money, visibility is limited, and momentum never builds.
Unless Torres finds a way to mount some major “October surprise,” the remaining days of the campaign are largely ceremonial – a chance to be seen, but otherwise just a formality in a slow march toward a predictable outcome.
But maybe this mayoral campaign isn’t really about this election at all. Some believe Kapszukiewicz is “just biding his time and waiting for Marcy.” The speculation goes that Toledo’s mayor has his eyes on Washington, and that this smooth, unthreatened re-election effort may serve as a tune-up for a future run at Congress.
If so, it would be a high-stakes calculation. U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur remains a political institution—longstanding, well-financed and dominant across northwest Ohio.
Still, the field could shift depending on who emerges from the Republican primary and how much support national committees are willing to pour into the race for the 9th U.S. Congressional district. If the Republican National Committee throws serious resources behind a challenger, and the Democrats move to protect Kaptur’s seat, that fight could become one of the most expensive and closely watched in Ohio.
For now, though, Kapszukiewicz’s path remains local—and clear. The mayor’s race may not test his mettle, but it keeps him in motion, visible, and well-positioned for whatever comes next.
Whether this election is merely a tune-up or the calm before a bigger political fight, one thing seems certain: Toledo’s current mayor is playing the long game, even if the city’s voters barely notice the first round.
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, PhD, at drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org