GOP chief withdraws suit against city council

9/26/2007

The executive director of the Lucas County Republican Party withdrew her lawsuit against members of Toledo City Council, which she claimed illegally seated a new president.

Joanne Wack filed a notice of voluntary dismissal Friday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Charles Doneghy will sign an order and the case will be dismissed.

The lawsuit, filed Sept. 4, asked the court to issue orders declaring invalid council's Aug. 21 vote to replace Rob Ludeman, a Republican, with Michael Ashford, a Democrat, as council president.

Later that same day, council members officially removed Mr. Ludeman from the position and elected Mr. Ashford to replace him.

The lawsuit became moot after council members reversed their earlier action and elected Mr. Ashford as president in accordance with the advice from the city's law director.

A second similar lawsuit, filed by former council candidate Joe Kidd, remains pending before Judge Linda Jennings.