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Bob Vásquez places name on council list—is it an A or B list?

By Fletcher Word, La Prensa Political Correspondent

Last November Bob Vásquez finished just out of the running in his race for a seat on Toledo City Council. Now it appears that the man who finished at the top of the also-ran heap might have a second chance for council.

The Lucas County Democratic Party is screening candidates for the at-large seat vacated by Bob McCloskey’s resignation. Council has 30 days to fill that seat and 12 candidates submitted applications seeking the party’s recommendation.

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Vásquez, director of Special Projects for The Twelve, Inc., a statewide non-profit agency that deals with child welfare and mental health issues, would appear to be positioned for a legitimate bid for the seat.

However, Vásquez could very well face an uphill battle in obtaining the party’s recommendation due to his allegiance last fall to former Mayor Jack Ford and the “A” team of the Democratic Party.

Last fall’s general election for the at-large council seats placed the top six vote getters onto council. Vásquez finished in seventh place ahead of two others who have asked the party for its recommendation—Karen Shanahan, another “A” teamer who finished just behind Vásquez in eighth place, and Terry Shankland, who was 11th of 12 candidates. Shankland obtained the party’s endorsement in November.

Others who are seeking the party’s nod include: Chuck Cassis, Christy Cole, Tim Kilcorse, Adam Martínez, Joe McNamara, Tom Meinecke, Shelley Papenfuse, Tom Roth, and Bob Wuest.

The remaining members of Toledo City Council will actually make the decision on McCloskey’s replacement and only Councilman Mark Sobczak is affiliated with the “B” team of the party.

Last year, the selection of Councilman Phil Copeland, against the express wishes of the mainstream Democrats, drove a wedge between the “A” and “B” teams that has yet to be mended.