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Photo By Jymi Bolden
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Charter candidate Courtis Fuller receives a
congratulatory kiss from his wife, Maria, following his
upset victory.
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When democracy was tested nationally Sept. 11 by acts of terrorism, 14 percent of Cincinnati's registered voters still managed to vote in the primary race for mayor.
But the mayor himself, Charlie Luken, didn't make it to the Hamilton County Board of Elections to give a statement after the votes were counted.
The clear victor in the primary race was Charterite Courtis Fuller, finishing with 53.8 percent of the votes in unofficial results. Luken received 38.5 percent of the votes, followed by Bill Brodberger with 5.7 percent and Michael D. Riley with 2 percent.
"I wanted a strong showing, and we had a strong showing," Fuller said.
In a written statement, Luken congratulated Fuller. The original tentative plan for election night, according to Luken's campaign staff, was for him to be at the board of elections. But throughout the evening, as supporters of the candidates watched the tallies, there proved to be no Luken sightings.
Toward the end of the ballot count, Luken's campaign distributed a statement, which said he would hold off on public comment until the following day out of "respect for the victims of today's tragedy, and their families," referring to terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.
But some of those who had spent the evening waiting for a chance to speak with the man who wants to be Cincinnati's strong mayor wished they'd received the respect of being told earlier that Luken wouldn't show.
"I look forward to a spirited campaign in the next eight weeks -- a campaign that will generate real dialogue about the future of our great city," Luken's statement said.
Fuller got a jump-start on the dialogue at his campaign headquarters after the votes were counted.
"I said with confidence all along that I think we could beat Charlie Luken," he said.
Fuller also acknowledged the people killed and injured in the terrorist attacks. "More than anything else, we have to begin by recognizing what this day has been. Nothing overshadows what took place in New York and Washington."
Meeting with reporters and supporters, Fuller spoke of his faith in God, his respect for Luken and the fact that he has prayed throughout his campaign for guidance.
"I've said from day one this has been a walk of faith," Fuller said. "I've been praying about it. Every time I pray I get the right direction."
The right direction, according to Fuller, is to get input from the people of Cincinnati.
"We haven't been ducking anyone," he said. "We've been talking to the people of this city."
Fuller said he'd suspended campaigning throughout the day to reflect on the tragedy the country was experiencing. But he said he was glad to see people going to the polls to vote, because it reinforces the importance of democracy.
The direction of the rest of his campaign, according to Fuller, will be controlled by a higher power.
"It will be led by God and prayers, and I think with that we're going to win," he said. "We're not going to get pulled into some unnecessary debate that tarnishes this campaign."
Fuller declined to criticize Luken for not appearing after the votes were counted.
"I too understand and agree with him that much of what we do tonight is kept in perspective of what has taken place in this country," Fuller said. "I understand his (Luken's) statement, and I accept that."
Fuller noted his campaign held no victory celebration as might have otherwise been planned.
The Republican Party didn't field a candidate for mayor. With independents Brodberger and Riley knocked out of the race, voters will decide Nov. 6 between Luken and Fuller.
This election is the first in more than seven decades in which Cincinnati voters will directly elect a mayor. For most of the past 75 years, city council chose the mayor from among its own members. More recently, the council candidate who won the most votes in the council elections got the job of mayor.
The next mayor will serve for a term of four years instead of two. The strong mayor, as the post has been called, will pick the chairs of council committees, be able to veto ordinances passed by council and can hire and fire a city manager as long as most of the nine council members agree. ©
