Larry Sykes wins Toledo council seat, elections board says

A Lucas County Board of Elections recount shows Larry Sykes won the Toledo City Council spot in the November election.

The Lucas County Board of Elections confirmed Larry Sykes the winner of the sixth and final seat on Toledo City Council after finishing an automatic recount of the Nov. 5 election today.

The elections board also certified Robert Reichert as an Ottawa Hills Village councilman, a victor by one vote following an automatic recount there.

Mr. Sykes, a Toledo Public Schools board member who has previously served on the boards of the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Toledo Area Metroparks, defeated incumbent at-large Councilman Adam Martinez by six votes.

“I’m ecstatic,” Mr. Sykes said. “I’m just happy to finally believe it’s real. I’d like to thank everyone for exercising their right to vote, especially those five individuals.” He said he was looking forward to working with the incoming mayoral administration.

Mr. Martinez said he was disappointed at the loss, and is now considering applying for the upcoming vacancy in Council District 2 to replace Councilman D. Michael Collins, who was elected mayor.

In other action, the elections board agreed on a split vote to consolidate its headquarters and early vote center at 616 Jefferson Ave., known as One Lake Erie Center. The lease is to be approved by the Lucas County commissioners.

Republican Jon Stainbrook voted against the lease, saying the elections board still had too many concerns about parking and that the 15-year commitment is too long. He also said the site is not centrally located for people who live in the western suburbs.

Democratic board member John Irish opposed delaying the vote, saying it could inconvenience the board staff in getting ready for next year’s gubernatorial election. “I trust our commissioners,” Mr. Irish said.

Democrat board member Ron Rothenbuhler supported the lease. Republican board member Tony DeGidio abstained after losing an effort to postpone the vote until Friday.

Contact Tom Troy at tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058.