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If you thought that the 2015 seven-candidate mayoral
election was an extraordinary occurrence, expect the 2016
local elections to be even more incredulous.
Presently there are two local political campaigns steaming
full speed ahead towards an inevitable high-profile clash of
the titans. Each contest contains some unexpected elements.
The first contest includes the presence of:
A
Black Republican.
Former Mayor Mike Bell, a self-proclaimed fiscal
conservative and social moderate, plans to run as a
Republican for Lucas County Commissioner against the
Democratic Party incumbent, Pete Gerken.
Although, from time to time, the Republican Party tends to
trot black candidates out under the bright lights of the big
stage (only if one at a time), black conservative
politicians and public figures fight against the GOP’s
negative brand as much as their opponents.
Most blacks view black Republicans (i.e. Alan Keyes, Herman
Cain, and even Michael Steele or Dr. Ben Carson) as an
“abnormality that can not be tolerated.” The message of
African Americans’ overwhelming loyalty to the Democratic
Party was facetiously emphasized in a recent episode of
ABC’s new hit comedy, Blackish.
Dre Johnson, played by actor Anthony Anderson, remarked with
tongue-in-cheek candor, “There are certain things in life
that are just true… black people aren’t Republicans. We just
aren’t. Sure, the other side may trot out a token black face
every now and again, but the fact of the matter is, being a
black Republican is something we just don’t do.”
Bantering? Yes. Oversimplification or worse? Perhaps.
However, it is a very real and shared belief for many
African Americans.
Bell’s general public image has always seemed to be “I’m
black but not too black,” but for many in the
African-American community he has not been “black enough.”
Yet, it appears that Bell had little choice in running as a
Republican. Chances of winning an election above the
municipal level are slim without party support and party
resources. Therefore running as an Independent was not an
option.
The Democrats, still angered by Bell’s support of the SB5
anti-worker legislation, appear resolute in their
unwillingness to mend fences even though Bell has served
nearly half a century as a Democrat and is very progressive
on social issues.
But also, the conditions do not appear to be ideal for
unseating Pete Gerken, an incumbent with a solid record.
Gerken is the most visible of the current county
commissioners and perhaps maintains the largest media
presence of any local politician. He has managed a budget of
nearly half a billion dollars (twice the size of the City of
Toledo), is extremely progressive on social issues, has
stood up to both late Mayor D. Michael Collins and current
Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson to champion criminal justice
reform, and has not suffered any major slumps or major
negative publicity.
With a solid record of performance in hand, it will be
difficult to convince voters that Gerken wouldn’t be a good
choice and a strategy to run a negative campaign against him
would likely backfire. The only scenario where Bell would be
competitive is if John Kasich, who surprisingly polls well
among Lucas County voters, appears on the 2016 national
presidential ticket.
Nevertheless, Bell’s choice is certainly a win for the Lucas
County Republican Party which, like the national party,
desperately needs diversity of ideology as well as people of
color.
Early predictions on the outcome? Yes, Expect the
unexpected.
The second unexpected campaign clash involves:
A
Throwdown in the ‘Hood.
Councilman Tyrone Riley, even before he has been sworn in to
his recently reelected District 1 council seat, has thrown
down the gauntlet by seeking the Democratic Party
endorsement to challenge incumbent Michael Ashford for
representation in the Ohio House of Representatives from the
44th district.
Apparently some perceive Ashford as being politically
vulnerable.
The longtime Democrat ruffled Party feathers when he
“positioned” his wife Ruth to run against party-endorsed
candidate, Councilwoman Yvonne Harper, to represent District
4 on Toledo City Council. Also, Ashford’s high profile
active campaign against last year’s mental health levy was a
total failure as the levy passed overwhelmingly and the
current word on the street is that “Ashford’s arrogance has
gotten him kind of separated from the pack and out there
looking for friends.”
Others have said that “Michael got out of his lane one too
many times when he actively recruited candidates to run
against Riley for the District 1 council seat.”
Riley, never one to do trash-talking, they say, by running
against Ashford “decided to stand up to the bully to get him
off his back and finally said, ‘I’m not gonna take it! Not
Today!’”
Should Riley get the Democratic Party endorsement, it will
be the first time the party endorsed a challenger over an
incumbent since 2004 when the Dems endorsed Gerken over
Harry Barlos.
Predictions on the outcome?
If Ashford doesn’t receive the endorsement, he, more than
likely, will run anyway, triggering a March primary between
him and Riley. Ashford’s political machine – a system and
network of volunteers and supporters developed over the last
10 years – is up and running already. Riley does not have a
machine equal to Ashford’s network, which includes
individuals and organizations that Ashford has contributed
to and supported in the past.
As the old African saying goes, “When the elephants fight,
it’s the grass that suffers.”
And as the ‘hood saying goes, “It ain’t gon’ be nothin’
nice!”
And as I say, “Expect the Unexpected.”
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org
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