Toledo, Ohio held city council elections on September 11, 2007. The city’s elections are technically non-partisan, but the partisan affiliations of candidates are widely publicized. Three candidates run in the 6th district: incumbent Joe Birmingham, a Republican; Lindsay M. Webb, a Democrat; and David Ball, a Green. The results are: Webb 1,403; Ball 615; Birmingham 462. Webb and Ball will compete in a runoff on November 6. Thanks to Gregg Jocoy for this news.
Ballot Access News
Edited By Richard Winger
I sent this to my father, who lives and runs a small business in Toledo. I copy here his reply.
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This is an interesting situation. Dave Ball has the confidence of some large investors in town and has used their money to buy and fix up two very large office buildings, one directly from the City of Toledo and the other using the only City agency ever released from its lease obligation at the government center building where all other city (and county and state) offices are located. So he has major clout with the City and with The Blade, which effectively runs the town.
I have the vague impression he sought out Green affiliation in part to avoid choosing between the “A” Democrats and the “B” Democrats who are fighting with each other. His affiliation may be a badge more of convenience than of conviction. I will see what the independent newspapers (the City Paper and the Toledo Free Press) have to say about him if I can. I suppose I should also ask Terry Lodge, just to see what he may know.
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(Terry Lodge is one of “Nader’s Raiders” and has an office in the same building.)
-David Schaich
http://www.vote-socialist.org
http://www.spboston.org