1989 Toledo, Ohio mayoral election

1989 Toledo mayoral election

←  1987 November 7, 1989 1991  →

Candidate John McHugh Donna Owens Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Popular vote 63,848 25,936 Percentage 71.11% 28.89%

Mayor before election Donna Owens Nonpartisan Elected mayor John McHugh Nonpartisan

The 1989 Dayton mayoral election took place on November 7, 1989. Incumbent Mayor Donna Owens ran for re-election to a fourth term. ^[1] She was challenged by John McHugh, the former Chairman of the county Democratic Party. In the primary election, McHugh placed first by a wide margin, winning 69 percent of the vote to Owens's 31 percent. ^[2] McHugh defeated Owens by a landslide in the general election, winning 71 percent of the vote. ^[3]

Primary election

Candidates

• John McHugh, former Chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party (Democratic) ^[4]
• Donna Owens, incumbent Mayor (Republican) ^[1]

Declined

• Carty Finkbeiner, City Councilman (Democratic) ^[5]
• Peter Ujvagi, City Councilman (Democratic) ^[6]

Results

Primary election results ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	John McHugh	37,487	68.58%
	Nonpartisan	Donna Owens (inc.)	16,927	30.96%
	Write-in		251	0.46%
Total votes			54,665	100.00%

General election

Results

1989 Toledo mayoral election results ^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	John McHugh	63,848	71.11%
	Nonpartisan	Donna Owens (inc.)	25,936	28.89%
Total votes			89,784	100.00%

References

1. Clements, Chase (May 24, 1989). "Owens asks McHugh to join tax campaign". The Blade . Toledo, Ohio. p. 3. Retrieved August 1, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
2. Zaborney, Mark (September 13, 1989). "McHugh tops Owens with 68% of vote". The Blade . Toledo, Ohio. p. 1. Retrieved August 1, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
3. "Toledo ousts mayor by healthy margin". Dayton Daily News . November 8, 1989. p. 9A. Retrieved August 1, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
4. Clements, Chase (April 28, 1989). "McHugh begins race with blast at Owens". The Blade . Toledo, Ohio. p. 3. Retrieved August 1, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
5. Weiss, Mitch (July 1, 1989). "Carty Finkbeiner: Toledoans either love or hate him". Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum . Toledo, Ohio. p. 10. Retrieved August 1, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
6. Clements, Chase (January 19, 1989). "Ujvagi says he won't run for mayor". The Blade . Toledo, Ohio. p. 17. Retrieved August 1, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
7. "SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 TOLEDO MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS". Lucas County Board of Elections. August 9, 1994. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
8. "NOVEMBER 7, 1989 GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS". Lucas County Board of Elections. August 9, 1994. Retrieved July 26, 2025.