Photo By David Sorcher

Councilman David Crowley sweats out a long Election Night and finally celebrates his ninth-place finish at Crowley’s in Mount Adams.

After winning an election, politicians party. Among the reporters, candidates and hangers-on at the Hamilton County Board of Elections Nov. 4 was Stanley Broadnax, former city health commissioner, who had a limo waiting for him.

Some candidates showed up three hours late for their own parties, such as City Councilman David Crowley. Crowley's Bar in Mount Adams was celebration headquarters for him and for John Gilligan, who was re-elected to the school board.

The party started at 8 p.m. The drinks were free. The bar was packed. The guests included Bernadette Watson, Mayor Charlie Luken's chief of staff.

"I'm a big supporter of Crowley," she said. "I want to see all the incumbents come back, except for Pat DeWine."

Ninety minutes later, the party was going strong, standing room only. But the man of honor was still not there. His son Kevin called him on the phone.

"I'm doing fine, trying to get a fix on things," Crowley said. "I will be there by 10."

At 10:55 p.m. he arrived. Crowley kept his seat on council by fewer than 1,000 votes, finishing ninth just ahead of the Rev. Damon Lynch III.

"It was a close call," Crowley said. "I would have liked to have finished higher."

He wanted Lynch to win, too.

"Damon would have been a good asset, even though I didn't want him to beat me," Crowley said.

He appeared relived that the race was over.

"I want to continue to support small business, play a key role in improving police/community relations and resolve issues like the Lunken airport noise problem," he said.

Gilligan, sipping white wine, was holding court by the television. The former Ohio governor, known for a dry sense of humor, wasn't taking himself or the election too seriously.

"If I don't win, I will take a deep breath and enjoy life," he said.

Winding Down
Some candidates didn't have a lot of party in their personality. At Japp's on Main Street, a hint of despair was in the air as Councilman Pat DeWine sat anxiously awaiting election results. The bar was sparsely occupied and dimly lit.

At the end of the bar sat DeWine, nursing a drink. Two years ago he ran on a campaign of family values. This night, in the wake of the breakup of his marriage, no wife and kids were on hand to celebrate his re-election.

Betty Hull, DeWine's political ally, was there for support. She stood at the bar, trying to retrieve elections results from her laptop. When a photographer tried to take her picture, she quickly went outside.

Despite being re-elected, DeWine was emotionless. He finished sixth among the nine winners.

Photo By David Sorcher

Councilman Pat DeWine, who falls to a sixth-place finish, hosts a subdued victory party at Japp’s in Over-the-Rhine.

"I will continue to make the city safer and deal with quality of life issues," he said.

At Le Boxx Café downtown, a party was in full swing and Councilman David Pepper's spirits were high. He finished first in the race, just as he did in 2001.

"There's too much bickering," he said. "I'm open minded, and I will work with whoever the nine council members are." ©

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