Voters make significant changes last night

November 4, 1:07 PMDayton Events ExaminerPeter Wine

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Gary Leitzell (left) gets congratulations for his victory after his first press conference as Mayor elect during election night at the Leitzell campaign party in the Doubletree, in downtown Dayton, Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

Photo: MediaMoments.com/ Peter Wine

Dayton OH – November 4, 2009

“Be careful what you wish for.”

As it became clear that challenger Gary Leitzell had a chance to win the Dayton Mayor’s race last night, that phrase was overheard at the Leitzell election party at the Doubletree in downtown Dayton.

It wasn’t possible to be sure who had said it, or who they may have been talking to, but seconds later it was announced that Leitzell was leading with 98 percent of the vote counted by a 52 to 48 margin.

This brought chants of “Go, Gary, Go” from the crowd, which lasted for several more seconds, and brought a request from the crowd.

“Speech!” came the call from the crowd.

“Not yet.” Came the response from a happy, but cautious Leitzell.

He was smart to be cautious, as minutes later another call came in that reported that the 98 percent might not include as much of the vote as you might think. Something about some precincts that don’t turn in all the votes at the same time, causing their total to be less than 100 percent for a while.

With several of these precincts in McLin’s area, there was enough reason to be cautious, but it was short lived. When the 11 o’clock returns were announced, it was clear to Leitzell that he’d won, so he prepared for his first press conference as Mayor.

Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin during election night at the Democrat Headquarters in downtown Dayton, Tuesday, November 3, 2009..

Photo: MediaMoments.com/ Peter Wine

It had been quite a night for Incumbent Rhine McLin, who just about two hours, thought that her campaign had enough votes that it was ‘not possible’ for Leitzell to catch up.

Mayor McLin had even been on TV doing an acceptance speech. When the news began to trickle into the Democratic Headquarters, though, and people began to seek out the McLin for a comment, she wasn’t available, and the rumor was that she’d left the building.

In a race that saw 28,968 votes cast, the difference between a win for Leitzell and a loss for McLin turned out to be just 878 votes (according to figures on the Montgomery County Board of Elections web site Wednesday morning.)

In statewide election results, two changes to the Ohio Constitution were made, one to allow gambling, and another to establish a Livestock Care Commission.

Quite an event, after all.

On the web:

2009 Dayton area election photos