Charlie Luken will become Cincinnati's most powerful mayor in generations, after holding off a challenge Tuesday by political newcomer Courtis Fuller.

        Mr. Luken, the incumbent mayor and heir to one of Cincinnati's most famous Democratic names, defeated his former WLWT-TV co-anchor by 10 percentage points in a race that garnered national attention after the April riots.

        After congratulating his opponent on an “upbeat” campaign, Mr. Luken said he would call on others — possibly including Mr. Fuller — to help in the new administration.

        “I'm grateful to the people of Cincinnati. A month ago this didn't look so good,” Mr. Luken said. “People in Cincinnati have some misgivings about its city government, and I understand that.”

        Mr. Luken, who had felt unfairly maligned for his handling of the April riots and subsequent race relations issues, seemed humble in victory. But he also said, “I always thought this election would be some vindication.”

        Mr. Fuller conceded defeat incrementally throughout the night, as Mr. Luken's lead became more and more formidable. It was, finally, 55 percent to 45 percent.

        “Win or lose, we've been very successful in getting attention for those who have not been able to get attention in this city,” Mr. Fuller told supporters upon arriving at a post-election party at Swifton Commons in Bond Hill. “We have serious problems in Cincinnati. The racial divide will end in Cincinnati. We have to put an end to it.”

        Later, noticeably deflated yet gracious in defeat, Mr. Fuller said he had no regrets about the way he ran his campaign. He said he only wished he had another month to get his message out.

        “We feel real good about what we did and what we had to say, and we hope the people respect that we tried to make a difference,” he said.

        Mr. Fuller offered to contribute what he could to Mr. Luken's new administration. But like Mr. Luken, he declined to be specific about what kind of role he had in mind.

        “The city is in good hands,” Mr. Fuller said. “Charlie is a long-time resident of this city. He understands Cincinnati. I never took that away from him.”

        While Mr. Fuller was conciliatory, some black leaders said Mr. Luken must work harder to bridge the racial gap.

        “Charlie has to demonstrate his ability to be a leader of African-Americans and all Cincinnatians,” said Keith Borders, chairman of the Citizens Police Review Panel.

        Mr. Luken will preside over a City Council of six Democrats, two Republicans and a Charterite. But he said he'll still have to push his agenda, including more police officers, a moratorium on new public housing and investment in downtown.

        “Just because there's six Democrats doesn't mean we're going to vote as a bloc,” he said.

        Tuesday's election followed a political roller-coaster ride for Mr. Luken throughout 2001. He was successively a shoo-in, a scapegoat for the April riots, an underdog and the ultimate victor.

        As recently as seven months ago, he was considered so strong that the Republican Party couldn't find a candidate willing to take him on.

        Then came April, with the fatal police shooting of Timothy Thomas, an unarmed black man whose death while fleeing police provoked a week of rioting and unrest.

        Mr. Luken, 50, came under fire from all corners; and, in June, Mr. Fuller, his former co-anchor at WLWT-TV (Channel 5), moved into the city and mounted a challenge.

        “I want you to imagine what this would have been like had I not stepped into the race,” Mr. Fuller told supporters Tuesday. “I don't know what the final numbers are, but I know we were at about 45 percent. For someone who is new to this game, getting 45 percent is not bad.”

        For Mr. Fuller's 200 supporters gathered at Swifton Commons, that line provided the first opportunity for applause of the night.

        Mr. Fuller won the four-way Sept. 11 primary by 16 percentage points, helped by a large turnout in the African-American community. Turnout in September was 14 percent citywide, but as high as 26 percent in some black neighborhoods.

        Overall turnout in the city Tuesday was 36 percent. But it was not much different from neighborhood to neighborhood.

        However, Mr. Fuller made the race tighter than expected by not only getting African-American voters — who make up 43 percent of the population but a smaller proportion of voters — but also young voters and white liberals.

        When the Clifton vote was counted, for example, Mr. Fuller surged ahead in the vote totals.

        Republicans generally supported Mr. Luken and Democrats backed Mr. Fuller. Yet on many issues, the two candidates were not much different.

        But as Election Day neared, the candidates revealed two distinct approaches to the job. Mr. Luken positioned himself as the candidate of steady experience, while Mr. Fuller stressed leadership, vision and change.

        And although many of Mr. Luken's voters still had some reservations about his handling of the April riots, they also said they didn't think his opponent was any better prepared.

        Frustrated with some of Mr. Luken's comments about police this year, the Fraternal Order of Police Queen City Lodge declined to endorse either candidate.

        FOP President Keith Fangman said Tuesday he's optimistic that Cincinnati police officers can have a positive relationship with the mayor.

        Howard Wilkinson, Tom O'Neill, Patrick Crowley, Jane Prendergast and Kevin Aldridge of the Enquirer contributed to this report.
       

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