Dixon, who spent all day yesterday scurrying about the Longfellow School gym taking notes on a yellow legal pad, said that the Myers and Cyr results present "the classic example of the tortoise and the hare."

While Cyr was "clearly cruising too comfortably" and banking on almost sure victory, Myers was "uncomfortable" with his position and conducted a frenzied, grass-roots campaign, Dixon said.

"Jonathan did better than most people expected," he said. Dixon added that Wolf's surplus of votes "saves Cyr, definitely."

Myers, who appeared tired but cheerful last night, also attributed his strong showing to his campaign style.

"We had a plan, we were able to stay fairly close to the plan we identified in the beginning," Myers said. "That's the major way to make progress in the Cambridge voting process: one by one, vote by vote. I feel good...some of the pressure is beginning to lift."

Cyr joked about his position after results from the first of four precincts showed him in 11th place, but appeared harried and unsettled after the final unofficial tallies were posted showing him barely edged out of the crucial ninth seat.

Low Voter Turnout

Cyr probably owes his weak showing to the low voter turnout, which pundits predicted would hurt the CCA candidates.

The Independents were considered likely to benefit from the low turnout because they draw their strength from individual loyal constituents and long-time townies with established municipal interests, while the CCA candidates appeal to the upscale and university sectors, who would be likely to vote in small numbers in an election such as this one, where no clear issue has emerged.

But longtime city activist Michael Turk, president of the Cambridge Tenants' Union, pointed to the strong showings of Wolf, Duehay, Myers and Reeves to indicate that the pro-rent control CCA has a strong mandate for the upcoming council term.

"It's a huge affirmation of rent control and, I think, progressive housing policies in the city," Turk said.

R. Elaine Noble, a former state representative and the secondly openly gay candidate to run in Cambridge, surprised observers by placing unexpectedly high in preliminary polling.

In spite of a highly controversial campaign, Noble finished 11th behind Cyr.

Sullivan, who appeared pleased but unrumpled last night, was surrounded by well-wishers congratulating him on his decisive second-place finish.

"I feel great," Sullivan said. "Thank God the good Lord is good to me."