Council Race Analysis

Howard Wilkinson reports on why the council has four new members. He focuses on why Thomas won (conservatives via POWR PAC), and why Malone and Smitherman lost (Eastside said no). What was missing is why Damon Lynch lost. I would say he lost because he took for granted his base was big enough for him to win and would come out and vote for him. He did little to change his image, other than appearing at council forums everywhere. If you have an image as someone who led a boycott to hurt the city, you can't change that image unless you come out and say you were wrong, or at least put it past you. He didn't do that on a wide scale, if at all. He may have given private assurances to the party to gain endorsement, but that does not get you votes.

Mallory's Replacement???

He has not yet taken office, but the race for Mark Mallory's Senate seat is already in full jockeying mode. If any of the names getting mentioned, outside of Reece, then the dominos will begin falling for their State House seats. Who will fill those?

Election Night Observations

Overall I really enjoyed being down at the Board of Elections last night. It was my first time hanging out there. I usually skip that part and go hang out with folks afterwards. I recommend everyone doing it at least once. Honestly, it just felt good. The people there were exited and then some where very blue. The bottom line though everyone cared about their community.

It really took a long time for the ballots to start to come in. I figured it would have not taken so long. We did not have 100% until nearly 11PM.

The first etiquette error of the new council goes to Leslie Ghiz. Her emotions were touching, and she was really positive, but she was dressed more for going out for coffee or to a movie than for a candidate on election night. I was in jeans myself, but I am just a bleeping blogger. I really wonder if she thought she wasn't going to win, and just wanted to relax. It was obvious to me she was going to win, and the early absentee returns had her very high and that made her a lock. I am sure she will be all business today and going forward. She worked very hard and deserved to win.

On the other side I was nervous Malone was going to win. I am very glad he lost, but it was far too close. Malone back on council have been very bad. Why he came so close will trouble me. I will be paying very close attention to ward and precinct breakdowns, once I can get a look at them.

All council losers should remind themselves, life is not really that bad. At least you don’t have a pending criminal trial to look forward too.

BOE Photos

Local journalist Joe Wessels has a great collection of photos from the Board of Elections last night. Joe also has some thoughts on election night on his blog.

Joe was also responsible for introducing me to Peter Bronson. If the world had ended, it would have been Joe's fault.

World Did Not End

Last night while I watched the election returns come in, life as we know it nearly came to an end. Matter and anti-matter met and existence itself was in the balance. {Cue dramatic music}

I met Peter Bronson.

Yes, you read that correctly. I, "City Beat's anti-Bronson blogger of the year," met Peter Bronson. There were no explosions, no fire, no brimstone. We shook hands and chatted a little. The subject matter was very simple and banal. We each tried to make a joke, and for the most part failed. I was concentrating too much on not letting either of us cause the end of world. We succeeded!

The man is very pleasant in person. I still oppose his views on nearly all issues, and will keep up my retorts to his GOP Talking Points.

A New City Council

Things happened close to what was thought. The surprises included Smitherman's loss, and Monzel's strong win. Thomas was the stealth candidate who pulled it out. The scary point tonight was that Sam Malone only lost by 1,285 votes. That frankly shows that either people are ignorant on the man's pending criminal charges, or the right winger's didn't care and voted the way their Cincy RTF voting list said they should. Here are the results:


No. Choices Votes
1. John Cranley - 34899
2. Jim Tarbell - 31809
3. Leslie Ghiz - 29251
4. David C. Crowley - 29222
5. Laketa Cole - 29151
6. Jeff Berding - 27832
7. Chris Monzel - 27464
8. Chris Bortz - 26865
9. Cecil Thomas - 26507
10. Sam Malone - 25222
11. Christopher Smitherman - 24028
12. Damon Lynch III - 21918
13. Wendell Young - 21070
14. Eve Bolton - 19324
15. John Eby - 16074
16. Samantha Herd - 13937
17. Nick Spencer - 9274
18. Paul Mcghee - 5271
19. Gerry Kraus - 4628
20. William S. Mathews II - 3832
21. Robert J. Wilking - 3689
22. Ishaq Nadir - 3087
23. Eric Wilson - 2982
24. Michael Earl Patton - 2708
25. Curtis Wells - 2392
26. Robert Wilson - 2259
27. Ronnie Stallworth - 2175
28. Bill Barron - 1785
29. Bennie Green - 1741
30. Victor Phillips - 1638
31. Antonio Hodge - 1218

Mayor Elect Mallory!

Wow, just freaking wow! Mark Mallory won in the last seconds of this race. It was looking bad until Bond Hill came in, finally. That put Mallory over the top to stay. I am personally pleased with the win for Mallory. I think this is a great day for the city.

I congratulate David Pepper on a great race. I don't know what is next for him, but I will put out an idea: run against Jean Schmidt for congress in the 2nd district.