Daily Loaf

Election Night, 7:45 p.m.: With almost all precincts reporting, Bill Foster is maintaining a 6 percent lead over Kathleen Ford in the race to succeed Rick Baker as mayor of St. Petersburg. In the race for City Council, Steve Kornell, Leslie Curran, Jeff Danner and Karl Nurse look like sure winners; Jim Kennedy’s race with Steve Corsetti is a little bit closer but Kennedy’s chances look good.

Updates to come.

It’s 8:04, and the race for mayor is already over. Kathleen Ford is giving her concession speech. “We are going to continue to keep an eye on our government to make sure it’s open, accessible… and affordable,” she promised. Later, according to Bay News 9, she said her biggest problem was “the media.”

“Read into that what you will,” said anchor Al Ruechel.

CL’s Mitch Perry spoke briefly with Ford at around 8:30; she appeared to be working hard to maintain a cheerful countenance. When asked her thoughts, she said, “I’m really pleased with myself. I’m excited. We made a difference in this race.”  Asked if she thought the St. Pete Times editorial page had been too harsh on her, and  whether she cared about that, she answered, “Not much.” As to whether the newspaper’s treatment had any impact on the election, she answered,  “Who knows?”

At Ferg’s on Central Avenue, Bill Foster was magnanimous in victory. Asked his thoughts on his opponent, he told Perry, “I’m crazy about her. She’s a friend. She ran a great race. She’s got some great ideas — great passion. I need her.”

Foster said he was excited, but also seemed exhausted. “This process beats you to death,” he said. “But when you survive it you know you’ve earned it.” He also acknowledged the 47 percent of the public who did not vote for him. He said, “It’s time to gain their trust. And I’ll earn it. We’ll come together.”

He won plaudits tonight not only for his victory but for his slimmer appearance. CL overheard him telling a supporter that he had lost 25 pounds during the campaign.

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