Oh and Kelly in photo finish

November 07, 2007|By MARK McDONALD, mcdonam@phillynews.com 215-854-2646

Challenger David Oh might have pulled the only upset of the day yesterday, as he held a tiny lead over incumbent Republican Jack Kelly in the unofficial vote count for an at-large City Council seat.

"If I win, it's a real miracle," Oh said late last night, "because of the almost insurmountable odds, the power and money and running against a machine."

With almost 97 percent of the vote counted, Oh led Kelly by 44 votes, 60,089 to 60,045.

Oh, 47, was substantially outspent by Kelly, a Northeast Republican who mounted an advertising blitz with support from electricians union leader John Dougherty.

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But Oh put together a credible campaign calling for reform. He benefited from endorsements from unions, the black clergy and newspapers.

Four years ago, Kelly polled more than 14,000 votes ahead of Oh.

 

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