In partnership with Jaden Jefferson Reports, La Prensa, The Sojourner’s Truth, and WTOL11
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
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz is seeking a third term in office. He joined Jaden Jefferson on Community Focus in April 2025 to make his case for another four years, provide a view of where the city is headed, and respond to ongoing challenges.
Roberto Torres
Stephen Zenner sits down with Independent mayoral candidate Roberto Torres to talk about his experiences working in Cleveland and Detroit, in addition to his work in Toledo. The two of them discuss the candidate’s philosophy on economic development, local political differences, and how his experience growing up in a northwest Ohio migrant camp shaped him.
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
Roberto Torres is an independent who’s seeking the office of mayor in Toledo. He spoke with Jaden Jefferson in the April 2025 episode of Community Focus about his previous experience, economic plans, on thoughts on the city’s future. Torres spoke with The Sojourner’s Truth Rev. D.L. Perryman in the January 22, 2025 issue – “Back in the Game: Roberto Torres’ Mayoral Ambitions”
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.
Brittany D. Jones, PhD
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/
Jones spoke with The Sojourner’s Truth reporter Asia Nail in the September 17, 2025 issue: Brittany Jones: “From Writer to Leader, A Journey of Service and Survival”
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
September 23, 2025 edition of Jaden Jefferson’s Community Focus: Toledo business owner and city council candidate Ed Beczynski answers the question of if he’ll still be involved in his businesses, if elected; discusses neighborhood redevelopment; and offers his take on other matters.
Mac Driscoll
Political Experience:
Has served as City Council Member At-Large since February 2024
Education:
Undergraduate: University of Toledo 2014
Graduate: Cleveland State University 2018
Website: macfortoledo.com/
In December 2024, Jaden Jefferson spoke with Toledo City Council At-Large Member Mac Driscoll on Community Focus. Driscoll discussed the mayor’s proposed budget for 2025 — and discusses what he’s heard from residents.
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: BlairJohnson4Toledo@gmail.com
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.
Blair Johnson is a local contractor who, for the first time, is taking the dip in the world of local politics. In Jaden Jefferson’s September 15 edition of Community Focus, Johnson discusses his run for an at-large seat on Toledo City Council.
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. On September 17, 2025, Komives spoke with The Sojourner’s Truth Reporter Rev. D.L. Perryman – thetuthtoledo.com
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
Erin Kramer is a Democrat seeking an at-large seat on Toledo City Council. In this Community Focus interview with Jaden Jefferson, she discusses economic development, housing, youth programming and more.
Cerssandra McPherson
Political Experience:
Toledo City Council Member At-Large since 2020
Professional Experience:
Special education paraprofessional for 32 years in Toledo Public Schools
Website: mcphersonforcouncil.com/meet_cerssandra
Councilwoman McPherson spoke with The Sojourner’s Truth Rev. D.L. McPherson in The Truth’s 01.07.21 issue – “Jumping in at the Deep End”
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: TomNames2019@gmail.com
Tom Names, a candidate for an at-large seat on council, talks about his plans on Jaden Jefferson’s Community Focus.
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: PaskerforToledo@gmail.com
On Jaden Jefferson’s Community Focus on Sept. 21, Northwest Ohio realtor Rob Pasker III discusses his bid for an at-large seat on Toledo City Council and the issues he’d like to address, from economic development opportunities to youth programming. To learn more about Rob, read “Rob Pasker: Building Business, Educating Clients, Spreading Joy” by Asia Nail with The Sojourner’s Truth, one of our TFP Voting Guide partners.
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/
In September, Stephen Zenner interviewed George Sarantou about his experience as a Toledo City Council Member At-Large, as well as his plans for improving the lives of Toledoans.
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
A former member of Toledo City Council, Republican Tom Waniewski is now running to unseat Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken. He joins me on this week’s Community Focus, to discuss how he’d lead in the position, if elected.
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