McNamara exploring State Senate run
Written by Kristen Rapin | | krapin@toledofreepress.comToledo City Council President Joe McNamara announced Nov. 20 that he will form a committee to explore a campaign for the 11th District seat in the Ohio State Senate.
“Now, more than ever, we need public servants that seek common ground ?and pursue common sense strategies to fix government, promote job? growth and strengthen our middle class. That’s the kind of councilman that I have been and the kind of senator I aspire to be,” McNamara said in a statement.
In the up coming weeks McNamara will talk with people across the district to find out what people expect from a representative in Columbus.
McNamara will make the final decision to run for the position before Jan. 31, but until then he said he will continue working for the community.
The 11th District seat will be vacated by Teresa Fedor.
McNamara, a Democrat, was elected to Toledo City Council in 2006 and was elected as council president in 2009.
Statement By Joe McNamara Announcing State Senate Exploratory Committee
“Today I am establishing a committee to explore a campaign for the Ohio Senate.
“I’m taking this step because we need an effective advocate in Columbus who will stand up for our values and demonstrate leadership during these difficult times.
“On Toledo City Council, I’ve fought for jobs and delivered for middle class families. I’ve worked to bring strategic vision to our economic development efforts, to establish new career training opportunities, and to promote job creation in high-tech sectors like clean energy.
“As Council President, I’ve taken on the toughest challenges and brought people together to get things done. We confronted Toledo’s 2009 fiscal crisis with action – forging consensus around bipartisan budget solutions that put public safety first. We reduced the city’s debt by $11.3 million. And we embraced efficiency and technology to save taxpayers millions more in the years ahead.
“Now, more than ever, we need public servants that seek common ground and pursue common sense strategies to fix government, promote job growth, and strengthen our middle class. That’s the kind of Councilman that I have been and the kind of Senator I aspire to be.
“In the coming weeks, I’ll be talking with people from across the district about what our communities need – and about what we should expect from our representatives in Columbus. I’ll also be working with Toledo’s Mayor-elect and members of Council to chart a responsible course for city government for 2010 and beyond.
“By the end of January, I will make a judgment about where I can best be of service. But wherever that is, I pledge to continue working hard every day to build a better community.”
Sounds like he has made up his mind to run and then arrogantly states he will continue working for the community (his political career) while exploring this run that he already has made his mind up to do.
This comment was posted on November 20th, 2009 at 2:29 pmWhy is it that when someone seeks a promotion in the private sector we applaud and reward him or her, but when someone from our democratically elected system of government seeks a higher office, she/he is ridiculed?
Joe McNamara is an intelligent and tireless leader. We may all not always agree with his positions but he is a man that should be respected for his unwavering leadership. He has taken his responsibilities on Toledo City Council quite seriously and never backs down, loafs or wavers.
If you do not agree with his politics that is fair. We have a great country that way don’t we? But to ridicule a hard working man whose resume qualifies him for much higher paying private sector jobs just because he seeks greater challenges in our government is just plain ignorant.
This comment was posted on November 20th, 2009 at 8:42 pm“But to ridicule a hard working man….”
Try this then, an election cycle came and went and people cast ballots for those on the ballot.
Now comes an office holder, wants to hold higher office, in spite of the recent election.
Are to we to think or believe that this aspiration for higher office, is a recent thought? Or was it thought out some time ago?
These types of decisions are not, generally spur of the moment, no, they are well deliberated and thought out.
No ridicule, just questioning the timing of the decision.
This comment was posted on November 22nd, 2009 at 11:21 pm