Mallory aide credits ground campaign

A crowd of about 90 supporters of state Sen. Mark Mallory erupted into shouts and applause as the campaign manager Simone Lightfoot announced that early into the race Mallory had pulled to the front of the primary pack, ahead of David Pepper, his nearest competitor.

Lightfoot, who announced the results at the swank High Spirits Lounge in downtown’s Millienium hotel at around 9:15 p.m., attributed the good showing to Mallory’s message and ground work. "People are ready for a new direction and a change in leadership," she said.

The campaign sent out about 100 volunteer poll workers to 134 precincts earlier in the day. Lightfoot said the campaign worked a phone bank and walked door-to-door to get out Mallory’s message.

"He just got out into the community to meet people," she said.

-- F.H.