TOLEDO -- Independent Toledo mayoral candidate Mike Bell says he is proud of his campaign and says he has been energized by his interaction with Toledo residents during his first run for elective office.

"The part that has been sort of sharp is all the new people I've met and the friends that I have made and having my parents right there with me going through this process," Mr. Bell said. 

Bell, who served as Toledo's Fire Chief for 17 years before being appointed Fire Marshall of the state of Ohio, began his day by casting his ballots at Pelham Manor in his West Toledo voting district. He spent part of the afternoon knocking on doors trying to sway the last remaining undecided voters to go out and vote for him. "I go into this day feeling really good that we put out a good campaign, that we've given 110 percent," Mr. Bell said. 

Bell will watch election returns with his campaign staff and supporters at Navy Bistro at the Docks in International Park starting at 8:00 p.m.