Portage City Council President Sue Lynch appears to have squeaked past incumbent Mayor John Cannon in one of the hottest races of the election cycle, in unofficial results.
Lynch and Cannon were locked in a race that was too close to call through most of Tuesday evening. Early voting results showed Cannon gaining momentum but, in the end the early and absentee votes pushed Lynch, a Democrat, over the top and into the mayor’s office with all precincts counted.
With all 27 precincts counted, Lynch claimed 52% to 47% of the vote, in unofficial tallies.
“I’m ecstatic and I’m really happy for the people of this city,” Lynch said. “I think we can finally get back to civility in our city and that’s what I’m driving at.”
Lynch was clearly surprised at the results when a supporter showed her the final numbers on his cellphone.
“It’s been a tense night waiting for these numbers to come in,” she said.
Cannon said he will help Lynch move the city forward.
“The residents, who I believe in, I believe they’re good folks,” Cannon said. “There’s Portage pride out there. I’ve seen it, and i felt it. I’d like to support our incoming mayor and do everything we can to help the transition.
“We just want to make sure the residents know Portage is going to be good one way or the other. Four years from now, we’ll be better than we are today. If the new mayor asks me, I’ll do what I can to move the city forward and help her out.”
The results capped a tense night, as Cannon slowly picked up momentum with each release of poll numbers. He entered his campaign headquarters to a hero’s welcome, with hugs and encouraging words.
As the numbers were read, Cannon supporters screamed, whistled and cheered, until the release of the early and absentee votes just before 9 p.m. Those voters bumped Lynch up from just over 49% at 8 p.m. to 55% of the votes and Cannon dropped from almost 51% to 46%.
Hundreds of supporters packed Woodland Park, dancing to a DJ and eating pizza and treats when Lynch claimed victory.
Frank Hennrich, 48, a carpenters union official, cheered the results as Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” played in the hall.
“I believe Portage residents spoke, and, they want the town to come back to fiscal responsibility,” he said. “And, the lies and the misleading campaigning has got to go.”
Michael Gonzalez is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
