| Candidate Profile: Rob Ludeman, candidate for Toledo Mayor |
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| Written by Jeff Garvas | |
| Thursday, 25 August 2005 | |
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UPDATE: Ohioans For Concealed Carry has been advised that Toledo's race for Mayor is "non-partisan", and that the primary in September will include the entire slate of candidates running for Mayor. With that being the case, the entire story below takes on a whole new dynamic. The top two vote takers of the Primary will face off in the general election. In order for Rob Ludeman to have a chance he must take first or second place in September's primary election. When Toledo's City Council passed sweeping gun legislation that created a score card for various handguns and then-Mayor Carty Finkbeiner cast the tie breaking vote, did you think in the back of your mind "we'll take care of this come election time" like most gun owners? Toledo Gun Owners: That time may have come. Toledo councilman Rob Ludeman is the lone Republican running for Mayor of Toledo this November, and Toledo gun owners need to learn more about this candidate in a hurry -- and we're not just saying this because he's the lone Republican running for Mayor in a liberal anti-gun city, but because he may be the best thing to happen to Toledo gun owners in a long time. In a race where only the Democrats will be competing in September's primary, Ludeman has time to involve more supporters and volunteers before the November general election. Ludeman's biography from his website is impressive, like most established candidates for public office. However, in a city like Toledo, one has to ask a mayoral candidate "Where do you stand on Toledo's repressive gun laws?" An OFCC supporter did just that and Rob Ludeman responded... (Click 'Read More' to continue) An email response from Toledo Mayor candidate Rob Ludeman to an OFCC supporter:
“I opposed him on those -- especially the handgun and semi-automatic weapons bans. Through a task force, we were able to make the legislation less restrictive, but I still voted against them as I feel a citizen has the right to own weapons not prohibited by federal law, as long as they are not felons. “As far as conceal carry, it is a state law, and the education and training necessary to get a permit makes sure only the proper citizen can be a part of it. The locations prohibiting conceal carry are strictly defined in the law and Toledo should follow the law accordingly.” Thank you, Rob Ludeman. Rob Ludeman's statements that Toledo should adhere to Ohio law will ring loudly with those of you who have followed OFCC's current litigation against neighboring Clyde for posting "No Guns" signs at their parks, and the plight of Bruce Beatty, who challenged Toledo's conflicting gun laws in city parks. Is it possible that a common sense candidate could become Toledo's new mayor? Clearly, law abiding gun owners in Toledo have been dealt the short end of the stick by previous administrations. Today, opportunity may just be knocking at their door. The question is, will anyone in Toledo answer? If today's polls reflect November’s results, the game is already over, but the results are almost meaningless due to the fact that only two of these candidates will end up facing each other in the general election. Channel 11 WTOL in Toledo contracted a recent poll of 300 likely voters indicating some conflicting numbers. From WTOL's website:
Better: 12% The same: 32% Worse: 52% Do you approve of Jack Ford's job as mayor? Approve: 25% Disapprove: 52% Undecided: 23% If the election was held today, who would get your vote? Carty Finkbeiner: 39% Jack Ford: 17% Keith Wilkowski: 9% Rob Ludeman: 8% Undecided: 27% Margin of error: +-5.7% Source: Stanford Odesky and Associates One thing is clear -- if Rob Ludeman is going to get elected, he's going to need a lot of help getting the word out. Toledo gun owners should take that to heart, roll up their sleeves, and get to work for Rob Ludeman's campaign in a hurry. Channel 11 WTOL will be holding a Mayoral Debate next week on Tuesday, August 30th at 8:00pm. If you have a well written question for the candidates you can and should submit it immediately -- and watch the debate! Are we missing a hot race in your town? Do you think OFCC should showcase a local candidate in your neck of the woods? If so, contact us with the details and as much information as you can. |