October 7, 2005

Antonio is third in primary, moves to general election

by Eric Resnick

Lakewood, Ohio--Openly lesbian city council candidate Nickie J. Antonio finished a solid third in an eight-way primary, and will move on to the November 8 general election.

Only the two incumbents came in ahead of her in the October 4 race for three citywide seats on the Cleveland suburb?s council.

?I wanted to finish third,? said Antonio, adding that she will need to work hard in order to win a seat on election day.

?For me it means running as hard as we did during the first part of the campaign, and ramp it up as the campaign continues,? said Antonio.

According to Antonio, that means raising more money, continuing to knock on doors, host small gatherings and put campaign volunteers to work.

?I am committed to working as hard as I can,? said Antonio.

She received 1,415 votes, or 17.2%, in the primary. Ahead of her were incumbents Edward FitzGerald with 1,711 votes, or 20.8%, and Michael Dever with 1,616 votes, 19.7%.

Three other at-large candidates will also move on to the general election: Daniel Thomas Brennan with 15% of the vote, Timothy Carroll with 13.4% and Suzanne Kennedy Horrigan with 7%.

The three top vote-getters on November 8 will be seated on the council.

Two other candidates, Daniel Shields and Randy Wolters, were eliminated in the primary.

Antonio said Lakewood has seen some moderate development and positive momentum in the form of new schools, galleries, shops, and a new library, and she wants to keep it going.

?I really want to see Lake wood move forward,? said Antonio. ?Working collectively, collaboratively, and doing things smart.?

Antonio is endorsed by the Lesbian and Gay Victory Fund, the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, the Sun News, the Lakewood Democratic Club, state representatives Mike Skindell and Dale Miller, County Commissioner Tim Hagan, and Ward 4 council member Mary Louise Madigan.

Five other lesbian and gay candidates are running in Ohio. Among them, Joe Santiago seeks to unseat incumbent Nelson Cintron, Jr. in Cleveland?s Ward 14. Because they are the only two candidates running, Ward 14 was not in the city?s primary on October 4.

The others are Mary Jo Hudson defending her Columbus City Council seat, Dave Schulz seeking an at-large council seat in Toledo, Mark Tumeo seeking a council seat in Cleveland Heights and Joe Lacey vying for a spot on the Dayton school board.

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