Why Leigh Greden Lost

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But mayor John Hieftje, who endorsed Greden in the three-way primary, says he wasn't surprised. The three-term veteran was hurt by news about the emails he exchanged with other council members during public meetings, says Hieftje.

Emails that came to light as part of a Freedom of Information Act request by an environmental law group this spring were "juvenile" and "goofy," Hieftje says, but others subsequently obtained by news organizations were "sobering." Among other things, they showed Greden conducting campaign business, counting votes, and jockeying over council pay raises. His snarky putdown of former Third Ward rep Steve Kunselman also outraged his former colleague--who beat Greden by six votes.

Kunselman credits a largely door-to-door effort and a healthy student vote for his win. The initial count showed Kunselman with 511 votes, Greden with 505 and LuAnne Bullington, another Greden critic, with 381.

The incumbent's slate of supporters gave him a boost, Bullington says. In addition to Hieftje, longtime Third Ward rep Jean Carlberg, state senator Liz Brater, and U.S. Rep. John Dingell endorsed Greden. A dozen elected officials contributed money to his campaign.

"I knew I was a dark horse," Bullington says. "But it was a nail-biter, and I'm proud of Stephen."