Mallory joins the party

Moments after a small crowd of Mark Mallory supporters inside the Millennium Hotel applauded after seeing on television that the state senator was leading David Pepper by six percentage points in the race for Cincinnati mayor, all 200 people in the High Spirits Lounge at Mallory's election party erupted as the candidate walked into the room.

Mallory wasn't even sure if he was winning or losing when he made his entrance, at about 9:10 p.m.

"Are we on top?" Mallory asked. "It's going to be a long night. The numbers will go back and forth as they come in. We'll just take them as they come. Is that a good deal?"

Everyone agreed it was.

Mallory said his timing was pure coincidence.

"I really didn't know what the numbers were when I came in," Mallory said. "So I'm excited."

Mallory said he chose the lounge on the 31st floor of the Millennium because the hotel was a retreat, of sorts, for his family while he was growing up. There's even a booth in his family's name in the downstairs bar.

"I spent so much time here growing up," Mallory said. "I was campaigning up until the polls closed. I was in Clifton until 7:30. We've gone street by street, block by block. You can only see so many television ads before people want to hear from the candidate. I think they see hope in my campaign that we can end the chaos at City Hall. People really want hope for the city, and they see that in my campaign."

Lisa Hyde-Hill was one of the Mallory supporters intently watching TV until her candidate walked in.

"You don't want to watch the results as they come in, but I can't help myself," she said. "I've seen the Mallory family support the entire city, not just one area where they're from. That's why I'm supporting him."

After fielding questions from the media for about 15 minutes, Mallory said he was off for more important business.

"Is that it? Can I eat now?" he asked.

-- Dan Klepal