Quiet at Heimlich party

Steve Kemme reports:

Phil Heimlich's supporters fell silent as he stepped to the microphone to concede defeat in his bid for re-election.

With his wife, Rebecca, and his parents, Dr. Henry and Jane Heimlich at his side, Heimlich spoke not only of his defeat by David Pepper, but also the defeat of the quarter-cent to pay for a $230 million jail and $30 million property tax rollback.

"I'm very disappointed because of the crime we have," he said. "I think it's critical that we get a new jail."

He thanked his wife, his parents, and his supporters and he feels proud of his service to Hamilton County.

"In the last two years, we've gotten more reforms in county government than the previous 20 years," he said. "I'd like to look at the things we've accomplished and not focus on just one lost election."