2015 Toledo, Ohio mayoral special election explained

Election Name:	2015 Toledo mayoral special election
Flag Image:	Flag of Toledo, Ohio.svg
Type:	presidential
Previous Election:	2013 Toledo, Ohio mayoral election
Previous Year:	2013
Next Election:	2017 Toledo, Ohio mayoral election
Next Year:	2017
Election Date:	November 3, 2015
Nominee1:	Paula Hicks-Hudson
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	23,087
Percentage1:	35.63%
Nominee2:	Michael Bell
Party2:	Independent (politician)
Popular Vote2:	11,228
Percentage2:	17.33%
Nominee3:	Carty Finkbeiner
Party3:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote3:	10,276
Percentage3:	15.86%
Nominee4:	Sandy Drabik Collins
Party4:	Independent (politician)
Popular Vote4:	9,432
Percentage4:	14.55%
Nominee5:	Sandy Spang
Party5:	Independent (politician)
Popular Vote5:	7,028
Percentage5:	10.85%
Nominee6:	Mike Ferner
Party6:	Independent (politician)
Popular Vote6:	3,208
Percentage6:	4.95%
Mayor
Before Election:	Paula Hicks-Hudson (Acting)
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:	Paula Hicks-Hudson
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

The 2015 Toledo mayoral special election was held on November 3, 2015, to determine the mayor of Toledo, Ohio and to finish the term of former mayor D. Michael Collins who died in office.^[1]

Incumbent acting mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson was elected mayor with 35.63% of the vote.

Candidates

• Michael Bell, former mayor of Toledo^{[2] [3]}
• Sandy Drabik Collins, former director of Ohio Department of Administrative Services and widow of former mayor D. Michael Collins^{[4] [3]}
• Opal Covey, perennial candidate^{[5] [3]}
• Mike Ferner, former city councilor^{[6] [3]}
• Carty Finkbeiner, former mayor of Toledo^{[7] [3]}
• Paula Hicks-Hudson, incumbent acting mayor of Toledo and former city council president^{[8] [3]}
• Sandy Spang, city councilor^{[9] [3]}

Debates

2015 Toledo mayoral special election debates

	Date	Host(s)	Moderator	Link	Participants
Key: Participant   Absent   Non-invitee   Invitee Withdrawn
					Michael Bell	Sandy Drabik Collins	Opal Covey	Mike Ferner	Carty Finkbeiner	Paula Hicks-Hudson	Sandy Spang
1^[10]	Sep. 23, 2015	University of Toledo	Keith Burris	Video
2^[11]	Oct. 22, 2015	NBC 24 & WSPD	Mark Hyman	Video
3^[12]	Oct. 28, 2015	WTVG & The Blade		Video

Notes and References

1. Web site: Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins has passed away at the age of 70. Toledo News Now. February 6, 2015. May 5, 2021. Bade, Nick. https://web.archive.org/web/20150206213512/http://www.toledonewsnow.com/story/28045483/toledo-mayor-d-michael-collins-has-passed-away-at-the-age-of-70. February 6, 2015. dead.
2. News: Former Mayor Mike Bell files to run for mayor again. WTVG. August 7, 2015. May 5, 2021.
3. News: Seven file for Toledo Mayoral race. WTVG. Hegarty. Shaun. September 4, 2015. May 5, 2021.
4. News: Sandy Drabik Collins to run for Toledo mayor. WTVG. Keilholz. Jonathan. May 19, 2015. May 5, 2021.
5. News: Opal Covey talks fifth run for Toledo mayor. WTVG. Long. Christine. August 3, 2015. May 5, 2021.
6. News: Mike Ferner planning run for mayor. WTVG. August 18, 2015. May 5, 2021.
7. News: Finkbeiner files petitions for mayor. WTVG. Brown. Kristian. September 3, 2015. May 5, 2021.
8. News: Hicks-Hudson announces she's running to complete Collins' term. WTVG. Hormann. Bill. March 18, 2015. May 5, 2021.
9. News: Toledo Council Member at-Large Sandy Spang announces run for mayor. WTVG. August 14, 2015. May 5, 2021.
10. News: Toledo mayoral candidates face off in season's first debate. WTVG. Pollauf. Heather. September 23, 2015. May 5, 2021.
11. News: NBC 24/WSPD host debate featuring all Toledo mayoral candidates. WNWO-TV. Raghuveer. Amulya. October 22, 2015. May 5, 2021.
12. News: Toledo mayoral candidates face off in televised debate. WTVG. October 27, 2015. May 5, 2021.