Wade Kapszukiewicz declares victory in Toledo mayoral race, set for historic third term

TOLEDO, Ohio — Voters are deciding whether to give incumbent Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz a third and final term under the city’s recently amended charter. As votes are being counted and still must be certified, Kapszukiewicz has declared himself the victor. 

Kapszukiewicz, the endorsed Democrat, earned more than double the votes of challenger Roberto Torres in the May primary. Torres, a military veteran and former Toledo Public Schools board member, is running as an independent. Independent Harold Harris, known locally as “the sign man,” is mounting a write-in campaign after finishing third in the primary.

This is the first election since voters approved a charter change allowing three consecutive terms for mayors. Results remain unofficial until certified by the Lucas County Board of Elections. 

Kapszukiewicz declared victory Tuesday night as early results showed him leading by a wide margin in his bid for a third consecutive term — something no mayor in city history has achieved. Speaking to supporters, Kapszukiewicz reflected on what the moment means to him personally and to the city he’s led since 2018.

“Well, it’s a great honor. I have to say that on a personal level, to be validated by the voters the way we were tonight, it’s a special feeling. You know, I’ve lived in Toledo my whole life. It’s my hometown. I’ve never loved a city like I love Toledo. I’ve never loved a job like I’ve loved being mayor, and to kind of have the support and validation of, you know, of your fellow Toledoans, it means a lot to me personally.”

As of late Tuesday night, Kapszukiewicz’s challengers, Torres and Harris, had not publicly commented on the results. Both ran on messages of change and accountability, contrasting with the mayor’s focus on continued progress and stability.

Kapszukiewicz said the election results represent an endorsement of his administration’s approach and a vote of confidence in the city’s direction.

“It’s encouraging that the citizens agree that we’re making progress. You know, campaigns are about two different visions of the future. My opponents kind of saw, maybe, a little more negative picture of Toledo. I painted a more positive picture of Toledo, and the results tonight show that by overwhelming numbers, by huge percentages, the citizens of Toledo believe that we’re making progress, and that’s a special feeling for me. And I also know, the significance of being the first mayor elected to serve three consecutive four-year terms.”

The mayor said he’s mindful of the city’s history of short mayoral tenures — and the responsibility that comes with breaking that pattern.

“I know that’s never happened before, and I feel a special responsibility to meet that challenge, a duty to live up to that responsibility. Toledoans don’t always re-elect their mayors. Historically over the years they don’t. And so to be reelected now not once but twice.”