Copeland winning Democratic primary for recorder

3/6/2012
BLADE STAFF

Toledo City Councilman Phil Copeland was on his way to breezing to a victory Tuesday night over two candidates to win the Democratic primary for Lucas County recorder.

With nearly 90 percent of the precincts counted, Mr. Copeland was ahead with 60 percent of the vote, compared to 26 percent for James Seaman, an Oregon councilman, and 14 percent for Kevin Eff, a Sylvania Township attorney.

Mr. Copeland will face Republican George Sarantou in the November general election. Mr. Sarantou, also a city councilman, ran without opposition in the primary. He failed in 2010 and 2006 to win election to county commissioner.

An at-large councilman since 2005, Mr. Copeland ran unsuccessfully in 2006 in the Democratic primary for county commissioner, losing to Ben Konop, who went onto defeat Mr. Sarantou in the general election.