Dumas: Thank you, supporters

After being trounced at the polls Tuesday, Stephanie Dumas believes her candidacy still made a difference -- and she wants everyone to know it.

Dumas, a former Forest Park mayor, was defeated by former Cincinnati Council Member David Pepper -- 21,283 to 9,333 or 70-30 percent -- for the Democratic nominee for Hamilton County Commissioner.

She sent the Enquirer an e-mail at about 2:30 this afternoon asking to have published the following:

"TO MY SUPPORTERS OF THE DUMAS CAMPAIGN FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER

I'm extremely proud of how we ran our campaign and also the results of the election. We were few but powerful and in 2 and half months we managed to mobilize about 9300 people to vote for Dumas. The campaign was about so much more than me but about spearheading change and giving people options. Another critical element of the campaign was that it made people look critically at the unfairness of media coverage, the discriminatory practices of the democratic party when it comes to informing it's constituents about all candidates that are running.

How many people believed that there was only one Democratic candidate running for commissioner? How many actually saw my name on the back of the ballot? How many switched their party affiliation to vote for Blackwell?.

We accomplished alot with little time and little money. We awakened the conscious of the County and the Democratic Party and hopefully we will mobilize the people to become more politically active and bring about positive change. To my supporters and for those over 9,000 people who voted for me I thank you. I will not forget your commitment to give me your vote and I will continue to fight for your interest, your votes will not be in vain.
Respectfully Submitted, Stephanie Dumas"