The day after, Reece looks to her future

Cincinnati Vice Mayor Alicia Reece walked in a few minutes late at City Council's weekly meeting Wednesday, less than 24 hours after a disappointing defeat in her bid to become one of two finalists for the mayor's office. (Photo by Michael E. Keating/The Cincinnati Enquirer)

Her fellow Democrats greeted Vice Mayor Alicia Reece with well-wishes and platitudes Wednesday, as Reece showed up for work despite a fourth-place finish in her bid for mayor the night before.

Laketa Cole: "Surely when one door closes, another door opens up."

John Cranley: "It took a lot of courage to get in that race. I didn't have it. You did."

David C. Crowley: "You have so much to give the public, and I hope you will find the appropriate fit in time."

Sam Malone: "I hope you stay in public service. Keep that chin up and keep fighting."

Up last was David Pepper, the councilman who came in first place in Tuesday's mayoral primary. He praised Reece's "tenacity" and "vision for the city," and credited her with running an "unbelievably positive campaign."

"It was actually a pleasure to be out there with you," Pepper said. "I will miss you out on the camp trail, because you added what this city needs, which is a passionate advocate for the city."

Reece repaid the compliment, and thanked Mayor Charlie Luken for appointing her vice mayor. Her term as councilwoman ends Nov. 30, and the city's charter bars candidates who accept a nomination for mayor from also running for City Council the same year.

"I have no regrets," Reece said. "I don't see this as a funeral, but I see this as a rebirth, and I look forward to the future ahead of me."

What does that future hold? Father and campaign manager Steven Reece Sr. said they're in no hurry to jump into another campaign, but they're looking at "things that could be available politically that could be attractive to her." One of those possibilities -- which was given close consideration before she jumped into the mayor's race -- surely includes a bid for state Sen. Mark L. Mallory's seat in Columbus if he's elected mayor in November.