McNamara steps down as chairman of party committee

9/13/2013

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been corrected to reflect that Mr. McNamara has stepped down as chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party's central committee. He is still on the committee.

Democratic City Councilman Joe McNamara, who did not move forward in the mayoral race after being defeated in Tuesday’s primary election, stepped down as chairman on Thursday from the Lucas County Democratic Party’s central committee.

Mr. McNamara, who remains a council member until his term expires on Jan. 1, submitted a letter of resignation to the elections board that was read and accepted Thursday during an executive committee meeting, Ron Rothenbuhler, county Democratic Party chairman, confirmed.

Mr. McNamara said in the letter he was just “moving on with his life,” Mr. Rothenbuhler said, which is the same sentiment he expressed after Tuesday’s election, when he came in fourth for number of votes behind incumbent Mayor Mike Bell, Councilman D. Michael Collins, and Anita Lopez.

Mr. Bell and Mr. Collins advance to the general election. Ms. Lopez retains her current position as Lucas County auditor.