Contrada holds off challenger

Haddad likely winner in Republican primary

5/7/2014

Contrada

Incumbent Carol Contrada staved off a Democratic primary challenge Tuesday to her seat on the Lucas County Board of Commissioners, and it appeared Tuesday evening she will face off in November against Republican Kevin Haddad.

Mrs. Contrada soundly defeated Michael Hood, a longtime Spencer Township trustee.

The Republican race to challenge Mrs. Contrada was more competitive, but still not close.

With 72.4 percent of the vote counted, Mr. Haddad was defeating Ben Roberts, at about 54.4 percent to 45.6 percent.

Mrs. Contrada, 62, of 5035 Valencia Dr. in Sylvania Township, was elected in 2010 and previously served as a Sylvania Township trustee.

“I think that my record resonated soundly with Democratic voters,” she said, “and I want to thank them for their overwhelming support.”

Mr. Hood, 56, of 9761 Oak Place Ct., has been a Spencer Township trustee for 21 years.

He is also part owner of a Holland business that specializes in fish aquariums and equipment.

Mr. Hood was unavailable for comment Tuesday evening.

Mrs. Contrada said she believes her record will appeal to the general public in November. As an incumbent, Mrs. Contrada was widely expected to make it past the primary. The Republican race was more in doubt.

Mr. Haddad, 58, of 4136 Shamley Green in Sylvania Township, is a former Sylvania Township trustee and is the owner of Kevin Haddad’s Design Group.

He said he was confident of his victory in the Republican primary, despite all the precincts not yet reporting, and was eager to take on Mrs. Contrada.

“Everybody is tired of what’s going on in the county,” Mr. Haddad said, adding later, “It’s time to get someone who is going to be an elected official who is going to work for the people, and not just collect a paycheck.”

He said that Mr. Hood was going to serve on his campaign committee against Mrs. Contrada in the general election.

Mr. Haddad said he was able to defeat Mr. Roberts, who was the endorsed Republican candidate, because voters “want someone who is actually going to work and get out there and fix the county.”

Mr. Roberts, 45, of 512 West Broadway in Maumee, is a former director of the Lucas County Board of Elections.

He now is a private business consultant.

Contact Nolan Rosenkrans at: nrosenkrans@theblade.com or 419-724-6086, or on Twitter @NolanRosenkrans.