Lucas County Democratic Party chair to resign

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - The chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party will step down at the end of the month, state party officials told 13abc.

Michael Ashford, who has been in the position since June 2020, is leaving his post on March 31 to focus on his race for Lucas County Recorder, according to a statement from his spokesperson.

“I am proud of my record, and more importantly that I had the opportunity to work with dedicated volunteers and committed elected officials. It’s time to pass the torch,” Ashford said in statement. “In 2024, there will be President, Senate, and Congress races. It will take time to organize those campaigns on a county level. My first responsibility is to the citizens of Lucas County as Recorder. That’s 40-plus hours per week and I still have to work at being Recorder and to run my re-election campaign in 2024. I simply don’t have the time.”

Ashford was appointed to the role of Lucas County recorder in Feb. 2021 after the death of Phil Copeland. Ashford won the Nov. 2022 election to fill Copeland’s unexpired term that runs through Jan. 2025.

A spokesperson for Ashford said Wednesday the party won 88% of political races from June 2020 through March 2023 under his leadership.

“We’re grateful for Chair Ashford’s long record of service to the Lucas County Democratic Party and to the Ohio Democratic Party as a whole,” Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters said in a statement. “We wish him all the best in his race for Lucas County Recorder, and we will be working closely with local party officials to ensure a smooth transition in leadership.”

Ashford has previously served on Toledo City Council and in the Ohio House of Representatives.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please include the title when you click here to report it.

Copyright 2023 WTVG. All rights reserved.