Democrats pick Ashford over Fedor for state Senate

1/30/2018

BY MARK REITER
BLADE STAFF WRITER

State Representative Michael Ashford

Two Toledo Democrats who must surrender their seats in the Ohio House because of term limits are headed to a primary battle for the state Senate seat in District 11.

State Rep. Michael Ashford emerged Monday night with the Lucas County Democratic Party's endorsement for the soon-to-be vacated Senate seat over fellow state Rep. Teresa Fedor.

The incumbent, state Sen. Edna Brown (D., Toledo), is term-limited and is not planning to run for any other office.

Despite the snub from the party screening committee, Ms. Fedor said she would file petitions for the May 8 primary to run for the Senate District 11 seat that represents Toledo and Oregon, Washington and Jerusalem townships, the village of Harbor View, and a small part of Sylvania Township.

"I am going to let the voters decide. I am running because I know the people in the state Senate district. I have fought for working people as well, our most vulnerable citizens. They know me and what I stand for. I will be asking for their support in May," she said.

Ms. Fedor is the 45th House District representative, which includes North and East Toledo and parts of Washington and Sylvania townships. Mr. Ashford represents the 44th District, which covers central Toledo. Both are barred from seeking re-election because of term limits.

Mr. Ashford, a state representative since 2010, said his legislative accomplishments have prepared him to advance to the Senate.

"A vote for Michael Ashford would be consistent with policies I have provided on economic development and jobs," he said.

Mr. Ashford was among the applicants vying to replace Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz as Lucas County treasurer. The Democratic Party Central Committee picked former Toledo Councilman Lindsay Webb for office over Oregon Councilman Jim Seaman, who also screened.

A former school teacher, Ms. Fedor was elected in 2002 to the Senate District 1 seat after representing Toledo in the House from District 52 for two years. Voters returned her to the House in 2010.

So far, no Republican candidate has emerged as a candidate for the state Senate seat.

Lucas County Republican Party Chairman Jon Stainbrook said party endorsements for the state legislative and county offices will be put forward following the Feb. 7 deadline to file petitions to be on the primary ballot.

"You really have to wait for the filing deadline," he said. "I am not going to telegraph the party moves to the Democratic Party in the newspaper."

Contact Mark Reiter at markreiter@theblade.com or 419-724-6199.