Spang announces candidacy for Lucas County commissioner

2/8/2018
BY RYAN DUNN
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledo City Councilman Sandy Spang announced Thursday she is entering the November election for Lucas County commissioner.

Ms. Spang, 57, of Toledo said she looks forward to the opportunity to continue working on a range of matters. The county administration plays an important role in economic and workforce development, community health, criminal justice, and Lake Erie, she said.

Toledo Councilwoman Sandy Spang at One Government Center
Toledo Councilwoman Sandy Spang at One Government Center

“I think that we have an opportunity as we finalize the regional water agreement to have a new era of cooperation between the townships and the municipalities, and between the counties and the city. I'd like to be a part of making that happen,” Ms. Spang said.

She further hopes to advocate for fiscal responsibility and countywide cooperation.

As an independent candidate, Ms. Spang said she would not participate in the primary election. She instead must collect signatures totaling 1 percent of the county’s votes cast in the last gubernatorial race, or more than a thousand.

The deadline to do so is May 7, the day before the primary. She said she is confident she can obtain the signatures and that meeting residents is part of campaigning.

Ms. Spang, a political independent, is the owner of Toledo coffee shops Plate 21 and Plate One. She was first elected to council in 2013.

“The voters of Lucas County have come to know me as an independent voice on council. It's a right fit for me to run as an independent,” Ms. Spang said.

Commissioner Carol Contrada is not seeking re-election to a third term. Ms. Spang said she observed and admired Mrs. Contrada's digging into issues Lucas County faces.

Prior to Mrs. Contrada's announcement, Ms. Spang was developing an interest in the position, she said.

For the commissioner race, former Maumee Municipal Court Judge Gary Byers, endorsed by the Lucas County Democratic Party, is opposed in the party’s primary by Michael Hood, a Spencer Township trustee. Sandy Bashaw of Toledo is the lone Republican candidate.

County Democratic Chairman Joshua Hughes said Mr. Byers' qualifications, including having served as director of the county board of elections and an assistant county prosecutor, are head and shoulders above others.

“He is unequivocally the most qualified candidate for the office,” Mr. Hughes said.

Jon Stainbrook, chairman of the county Republican Party, could not be reached for comment by phone, but in an email sent to The Blade he said Sandy Bashaw will run for county commissioner as a Republican. He said she is a ProMedica nurse, is pursuing a pastoral degree from Oral Roberts University, and has worked in prayer ministry through Intercessors for America.

He also said she is married and has four boys.

“Sandy believes in good government and fiscal responsibility,” Mr. Stainbrook said by email. “She advocates a faith-based approach to social issues, and is determined to find solutions for Lucas County's communities with compassion and diligence.”

Contact Ryan Dunn at rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @RDunnBlade.