"He only agreed to vote for me for one ballot," Reeves says. "It was not clear where he was headed."

Davis was wavering as well. After six weeks of voting, she desperately wanted the city to elect a mayor.

Earlier in the day, according to a Davis press release, Born essentially released Braude and Davis from their commitment to her cause, agreeing that if she did not muster the necessary five votes before the meeting they were free to vote for other candidates.

By this point, Davis had already decided that Galluccio was her second choice, even though it meant she would be crossing party lines.

"Because of firm promises he made on affordable housing, schools and citywide rezoning, I had decided that Anthony Galluccio was my second choice for mayor," Davis said. "His support for these critical issues meant the possibility of a new coalition--and a super majority of sorts."

Before the meeting, Davis and Braude told Galluccio that he would have their vote if Born failed to be elected in the first ballot.

"It was a promise of giving me a chance on the third ballot," Galluccio says.

The council first had to have a second round of voting. In the second ballot at 11 p.m., Braude followed through on his promise to acting mayor Reeves and switched his vote to him, making him the new leader with three votes.