Sheldon announces victory over Kolb

In a repeat of the 1996 Ann Arbor mayoral election, Republican Incumbent Ingrid Sheldon held her seat by a small margin in yesterday's race, defeating Democratic challenger Chris Kolb.

With 60 of 62 precincts reporting as of 2 a.m., Sheldon carried 49.72 percent of the vote, with Kolb a close second at 48.38 percent. Libertarian candidate Elizabeth Keslacy, an Architecture and Urban Planning junior, drew 1.67 percent of the vote.

"This has been a very tough campaign," Sheldon said. "The demographics are against me in this community and that makes it difficult to get out my message: I am someone who will work for all people. We need a government that is responsive, but also responsible."

"I am someone who will work for all people. We need a government that is responsive, but also responsible."

Kolb appeared at Conor O'Neill's bar on Main Street around 11:30 p.m. looking slightly dejected. The crowd greeted him with loud applause, louder than for the other Democrats present - including incumbent U.S. Rep. Lynn Rivers (Ann Arbor) and State Rep. Liz Brater (Ann Arbor), both of whom declared victory last night.

"We had a lot of energy in our campaign," Kolb told the sympathetic supporters. "I will make you one promise: In the year 2000, we will have a Democratic mayor of the city."

Ann Arbor City Council member Pat Putman (R-2nd Ward) said Sheldon's reputation for finding "a middle ground" in city government is what helped secure her seat.

"Ingrid is very good at building a consensus among members of the council and mediating. It is extremely important to have someone that can do that in our city," Putman said.

Putman said Kolb attempted to give voters the picture that Sheldon "hasn't done anything" during her three terms as mayor.

"She's done everything the mayor of Ann Arbor is supposed to do," he said. "She has kept her finger on the pulse of what everyone in Ann Arbor wants, and she's best suited for the job as it is now."

Kolb's campaign manager Paul Heaton attributed the loss to Ann Arbor residents who are satisfied with the way the city is run and ignore what Sheldon has not done.

"A key issue is a real lack of awareness of the potential that exists for Ann Arbor," Heaton said. "My concern is that people were a little too comfortable with the status quo."

With approximately $40,000 spent on the campaign, supporters wanted to avoid mudslinging that sometimes goes on in close election races, said Sheldon's campaign manager Jean Wilkins.

"The campaign has gone fine," Wilkins said. "We always try to stay positive."

While Kolb lost the mayor's race, many Democrats said his help in moving Ann Arbor residents and students to vote in the election was key.

"Chris Kolb was instrumental for all of us," said State Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Salem Twp.) who declared a victory last night.

Kolb's campaign moved LSA senior Geoffrey Ream to vote.

"Because I identify with Chris Kolb, being gay myself, I wanted to vote for him," Ream said. "It was a decision based on the person and on the issues he represents."

Sheldon used her victory speech to thank the many people she said helped her throughout campaigns of years past. She also made a confident statement about the coming term.

"We'll have another two good years of city government in Ann Arbor," Sheldon said.

- Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon

11-04-98