Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Toledo
Who answered: Marcy's brother Steve, who wasn't in costume, but was handing out full-size candy bars to neighborhood kids.
Greeting: Confused at the sight of two full-grown men, not in costume, dressed mostly in black — which we really didn't think through — he was very apprehensive and questioning of our presence. When we explained what we were doing and asked if the Congresswoman was home, he said, "This isn't a good time, we're getting ready to eat. But feel free to call her office downtown." We left candy-less and slightly embarrassed.
Decor: Virtually none. We were actually surprised that anyone answered.
Candy: We think we spied Goody bars, but Steve didn't get too close to us with the bowl.
Crowd: A few groups of children and parents trolled through the quaint west Toledo neighborhood.
Fun-size fact: We're pretty sure Steve didn't believe we were from the City Paper.
UT President Lloyd Jacobs, Ottawa Hills
Jacobs' kept the porch light off — the few trick-or-treaters hitting the streets didn't attempt to approach the house on the hill. Even we were deterred, snapping a photo with our iPhone for posterity and swiftly escaping.
Congressman Bob Latta, Bowling Green
Who answered: Latta's teenage daughter, dressed in regular suburban-wear, cracked the door open and was a bit confused by an intrepid reporter asking for candy. "Uh, k?" was all the feedback we got.
Greeting: Underwhelming. But to Latta's credit, we were too bashful to push for a Butterfingers from the Congressman himself.
Decor: The Stepford-y neighborhood was spare in true subdivision fashion — only one pumpkin decorated the porch. And though Latta wasn't tooting his own horn with political signs, the entry to the neighborhood boasted a few.
Candy: Butterfingers, Crunch bars and Tootsie Rolls.
Crowd: Slim to none.
Fun-size fact: Our photo request of Latta handing out the Halloween candy was promptly denied.
Samuel Wurzelbacher, aka Joe the Plumber, running for Congressional District 9, Holland
Who answered: We found Joe the Plumber himself braving the weather and handing out candy to his potential constituents. "Oh man, Freddy?" he said to one well-dressed trick-or-treater. "That's awesome."
Greeting: Wurzelbacher was surprised but gracious — even amused.
Decor: Restrained, in the vein of a frivolity-free Republican. One Wurzelbacher campaign sign was planted in the front lawn, and three pumpkins sat near the door, carved by the Plumber and his wife and son. "Mine's the mean-looking one," he said.
Candy: Tootsie Rolls and Wurzelbacher's favorite, watermelon Jolly Ranchers.
Crowd: So many kids flooded the neighborhood near Angola and S. McCord, the politician had few chances to sneak inside for a break from the drizzle.
Fun-size fact: The Plumber's favorite costume of the night was a miniature version of comic book hero the Green Lantern.
Angela Zimmann, running for Congressional District 5, Holland
Who answered: Zimmann's husband, Marty, held down the fort while she took their nine-year-old daughter Chelsea trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. "She wanted to be anonymous mom [for the night]," Mr. Zimmann said.
Greeting: Friendly confusion.
Decor: Festive orange Halloween lights decorated the bushes; campaign signs in favor of Issue 2, Issue 23, and Angela Zimmann herself peppered the lawn; a spooky smoke machine provided some fog action. Zimmann is practically neighbors with the Plumber.
Candy: Nerds, Gobstoppers, Laffy Taffy.
Crowd: An elementary vampire approached the porch soon after us.
Fun-size fact: Zimmann's team issued a statement letting the press know she'd be taking a break from the campaign to trick-or-treat with her children.
(The other) Jimmy Jackson, Holland
Who answered: Will the real Jimmy Jackson please stand up? We didn't find the ex-NBA player, but we did stumble on a guy who's mistaken for him often. "I get calls for him all the time," Jackson said.
Greeting: Helpful. The non-basketball playing Jackson was very happy to suggest ways of finding the other Jackson.
Decor: Spare, although the costume was fun — a purple wig and a mechanic's uniform. Inventive!
Candy: Better than a lot of celebs we visited — a nice variety of Hershey bars, Reese's cups, Almond Joy, and Starburst.
Crowd: Only a few kids around the neighborhood were out and about in the Stone Oak subdivision.
Fun-size fact: The two Jacksons used to exercise at the same Bally Fitness Center.
Randy Oostra, President and CEO of ProMedica Health Systems, Holland
Who answered: After sneaking into the gated subdivision, we hesitated to even ring the doorbell — it was like rolling into an episode of MTV Cribs. Oostra's son Carson answered after two tries; Randy arrived at the door a few moments later, smiling graciously.
Greeting: Oostra, seeing us standing in the cold, kindly let us in for a moment. "We've lived here ten years and have had zero trick-or-treaters," he laughed.
Decor: Two pumpkins sat elegantly on each side of the front door.
Candy: The Oostras keep a tiny bowl of mini Snickers bars, just in case. When we asked for a photo, Oostra jokingly called out to his son. "Carson, get more candy. This looks cheap!"
Crowd: No little ones for miles.
Fun-size fact: Oostra graciously offered us help in finding the elusive Jimmy Jackson. (Rumor has it he's moved to Columbus.)
