1997 Toledo, Ohio mayoral election

The 1997 Toledo, Ohio mayoral election took place on November 4, 1997. Incumbent Mayor Carty Finkbeiner ran for re-election to a second term.^[1] He was challenged by four opponents, including Republican businessman Nick Wichowski and neighborhood development specialist Alan Cox. In the primary, Finkbeiner placed first by a wide margin, winning 47 percent of the vote. Wichowski won 27 percent and advanced to the general election against Finkbeiner.^[2]

Despite Finkbeiner's popularity and the "robust local economy," the city's financial difficulties ultimately resulted in a close race.^[3] Finkbeiner narrowly defeated Wichowski to win re-election, receiving 51 percent of the vote to Wichowski's 49 percent.^[4]

Primary election

Candidates

Carty Finkbeiner, incumbent Mayor (Democratic)^[1]
Nick Wichowski, businessman (Republican)^[5]
Alan Cox, neighborhood development specialist (independent)^[6]
Dave Domanski, auto worker (Libertarian)^[7]
Edward Emery, sociologist (Republican)^[7]

Declined

Donna Owens, former Mayor (Republican)^[5]
Sally Perz, State Representative (Republican)^[5]
Gene Zmuda, City Councilman^[5]

Results

Primary election results^[8]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Carty Finkbeiner (inc.)	15,008	47.32%
	Nonpartisan	Nick Wichowski	8,526	26.88%
	Nonpartisan	Alan Cox	5,374	16.94%
	Nonpartisan	Dave Domanski	1,648	5.20%
	Nonpartisan	Edward Emery	1,163	3.67%
Total votes			31,719	100.00%

General election

Results

1997 Toledo mayoral election results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Carty Finkbeiner (inc.)	46,738	50.96%
	Nonpartisan	Nick Wichowski	44,973	49.04%
	Write-in		3	0.00%
Total votes			91,714	100.00%

References

^ ^a ^b Weiss, Mitch (February 4, 1997). "Finkbeiner wants second term as mayor of Toledo". The News-Messenger. Fremont, Ohio. p. A8. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Wenzel, Fritz (September 11, 1997). "Mayor, challenger open campaign". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. A17. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Wenzel, Fritz; Cohan, Jeffrey (November 4, 1997). "Mayoral hopefuls race down to wire". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. A1. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Cohan, Jeffrey; Wenzel, Fritz (November 5, 1997). "Toledo keeps Carty: Finkbeiner narrowly wins re-election as mayor". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. A1. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Wenzel, Fritz (July 8, 1997). "2 challenge Finkbeiner in mayoral race". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. 1. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Wenzel, Fritz (July 10, 1997). "Deadline to file for city races is today". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. A21. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b Wenzel, Fritz (July 13, 1997). "At-large seats a challenge for voters". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. A12. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "SEPTEMBER 9, 1997 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION". Lucas County Board of Elections. October 22, 1997. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
^ "NOVEMBER 4, 1997 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION". Lucas County Board of Elections. January 27, 1998. Retrieved July 26, 2025.

[second_term-1] Weiss, Mitch (February 4, 1997). "Finkbeiner wants second term as mayor of Toledo". The News-Messenger. Fremont, Ohio. p. A8. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[2] Wenzel, Fritz (September 11, 1997). "Mayor, challenger open campaign". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. A17. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[3] Wenzel, Fritz; Cohan, Jeffrey (November 4, 1997). "Mayoral hopefuls race down to wire". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. A1. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[4] Cohan, Jeffrey; Wenzel, Fritz (November 5, 1997). "Toledo keeps Carty: Finkbeiner narrowly wins re-election as mayor". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. A1. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[2_challenge-5] Wenzel, Fritz (July 8, 1997). "2 challenge Finkbeiner in mayoral race". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. 1. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[6] Wenzel, Fritz (July 10, 1997). "Deadline to file for city races is today". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. A21. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[challenge_for_voters-7] Wenzel, Fritz (July 13, 1997). "At-large seats a challenge for voters". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. p. A12. Retrieved August 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.

[8] "SEPTEMBER 9, 1997 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION". Lucas County Board of Elections. October 22, 1997. Retrieved July 26, 2025.

[9] "NOVEMBER 4, 1997 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION". Lucas County Board of Elections. January 27, 1998. Retrieved July 26, 2025.

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