Dems sweep 4 races for City Council

By Robert Gold and Rachel Green

Daily Staff Reporters

Democrats kept a stranglehold in the Ann Arbor city council following last night's election as party members won the four contested races. Republican incumbent Joe Upton ran uncontested in Ward II.

Democratic incumbents Jean Carlberg (Ward III) and Steve Hartwell (Ward IV) won easily. Carlberg defeated Republican candidate Gary Vandermade and Hartwell beat Republican Jeff Harshe.

"I thought Jeff gave a good run," Harshe said. "The fourth ward is always a swing ward. It's always a nailbiter."

Around 9:30 p.m. Harshe was not ready to concede defeat, but he said, "It was a good experience, just bad results."

Harshe said he plans to return to his job as a commercial real-estate broker.

"I'll go back to work and just try to help the private sector," he said.

Two ward contests featured newcomers as longtime council members Toni Hanna-Davies (D-Ward I) and Elizabeth Daley (D-Ward V) stepped down. Democrat Jean Robinson defeated independent Anthony Ramirez while Chris Easthope (D-Ward V) beat Republican candidate Todd Hagopian.

During his term Easthope said he wants to concentrate on affordable housing and the city's infrastructure.

Hagopian said he was pleased with his double-digit results, although he did not win. "I had a good campaign," he said. "For running a campaign for $500, that's the best we can do."

Ramirez said he wanted to run on the Democratic ticket but he lost the primaries earlier this year.

"I can take these defeats," Ramirez said. "It's no big thing."

Following the election, nine Democrats and two Republicans compose city council and the mayoral seat. Currently, eight Democrats and three Republicans hold these positions.

The new council is not complete, however. The council must vote in two new members following the departure of Democrats Chris Kolb and John Hieftje. Hieftje replaces outgoing Republican Mayor Ingrid Sheldon. Kolb will leave the council in January to serve in the State House.

Harshe said he was concerned with the liberal slant in Ann Arbor. "Ann Arbor's a very partisan city and there's a lot of straight-ticket Democratic votes," he said. "It's unfortunate that they did not consider the individuals in this race."

Robinson said the party makeup of the council will not necessarily determine their votes.

"Ultimately it's left to the integrity of the individual to do what is right and to do what is best (for Ann Arbor)," Robinson said.

Republican candidates gathered with family and friends at Leopold Brothers of Ann Arbor to watch the voter return, while Democrats celebrated their victories at Ann Arbor Brewing Company.

Damon Burg, a second year Public Policy student, attended the Republican gathering to support his party.

"I voted for Republicans because they tend to agree with my economic beliefs of keeping government small and unintrusive," he said.

City Council

Robinson Dem. 5,688

Ramirez Ind. 1,565

Ward III

Carlberg Dem. (i) 6,594

Denoyer Lib. 2,322

Vandermade GOP 380

Ward IV

Hartwell Dem. (i) 5,190

Harshe GOP 3,746

Nowak Green 910

Saletta Lib. 198

Ward V

Easthope Dem. 8,648

Hagopian GOP 2,587

Purdy Lib. 441

As of 2 a.m.