McNamara makes mayoral run official - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

"So, I'm here to tell you I feel this passion in my heart and in my bones and I'm here to announce my candidacy for mayor of Toledo."

With those words, a fourth candidate has stepped into the mayor's race in Toledo.  There was no question Joe McNamara (D) was going to run for mayor.   The question was when the city council president would announce his candidacy.  Well, Tuesday, he made it official.

McNamara didn't pull any punches.  He attacked Mayor Mike Bell (I) as a weak, disconnected mayor without focus, and telling 13 abc reporter Bill Hormann, "I'm focused on people.  I'm focused on building this community and I'm focused on strengthening the neighborhoods."

McNamara says under mayor Bell, crime is up, neighborhood blight has gotten worse, economic development has been non-existent, and he charges the mayor blames unions for the city's problems.

The Democrat says, "Toledoans have to feel good about their mayor.  They have to know that the mayor is fighting for them and they have to know that the mayor understands what's going on."

It is apparent McNarama will create a narrative of an out- of- touch mayor.  And the chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party echoed that sentiment, accusing Bell--a former registered Democrat-- of parroting *Republican talking points*.

Ron Rothenbuhler said, "I think the issues and the views he has on issues shows he's leaning more toward the Republican views than some of the Democratic views."

But the mayor points to a balanced budget without raising taxes, income revenue up 15-percent over the last 4-years and hiring more fire and police as successes *all Toledoans* share.

And the mayor says he has has something Joe McNamara will never have.

Mayor Bell told 13abc reporter Bill Hormann, "See, I'm a change agent.  I'm moving in a totally different direction than he would think of doing.  I have more spinal cord than he'll probably ever have."

There are four official candidates... Bell and McNarama, AlanCox, the president of AFSCME Local 2058, and perennial candidate Opal Covey.

The Democrats will probably field another candidate, rumored to be Anita Lopez the Lucas County Auditor and Republicans are likely to have a candidate as well.