Despite disappointing voter turnout in traditional CCA strongholds, the progressive group was able to effectively mobilize its constituents.

"I am very happy because the signs were ominous--a tremendous conservative tide in this country, the loss of rent control, the low voter turn-out," said CCA affiliate and Agassiz Tenants Union Co-chair Randy Fenstermacher shortly after the election. "We are very pleased that we stood our ground."

Mayoral Standoff

Then the fun began.

Even after the final ballot was handcounted and the votes distributed under Cambridge's system of proportional representation, the city council still had to select a mayor from among its members at its first meeting in January.

At first, the four CCA-endorsed candidates supported Duehay for mayor, while the four Alliance-endorsed candidates voted for Russell. Reeves voted for himself.

The council could not decide on a mayor for two months. Many local observers credit for Duehay ending the deadlock.

Duehay said that after he talked to each member, the council eventually reached an agreement to choose Russell as the city's new mayor.

The selection of Russell ended the second-longest mayoral impasse in the city's history. The longest impasse lasted from January 1 to April 23, 1948 and required 1,321 separate ballots to elect Mayor Michael Neville.

--Abby Y. Fung, R. Alan Leo and C.R. McFadden contributed to the reporting of this story.