"We have a lot of work to do," Turner said Tuesday night. He said he plans to focus on putting more police on the streets and investing in Dayton's neighborhoods. "Housing and improving our neighborhoods will be number one on the agenda of, I believe, the entire commission."
In final unofficial results, Turner beat Capizzi, a 12-year city commission veteran, by a count of 19,755 votes to 17,138, or roughly 53 percent to 47 percent.
Joining Turner on the five-member city commission will be Democrats Lloyd E. Lewis Jr., a state representative, and Mary Wiseman, an environmental attorney. It will be the first time - except for a six-week period in 1994 - that the commission has a black majority and the first time two women have served.
Voter turnout was close to 40 percent, which is lower than the 1993 mayoral election, when 49.9 percent of the city's registered voters cast ballots.
Turner, 37, a real estate attorney, raised $111,829 through Oct. 16 for his re-election campaign compared to Capizzi's $29,715. Final campaign finance reports are due in December.
Turner credited his team of campaign workers for getting his message out to voters. He told voters that under his leadership the city is adding 40 cops to the streets, has improved police response time to emergencies, balanced the budget without dipping into reserves and begun neighborhood development projects. He built a case with voters that if re-elected, he would continue to steer Dayton down a path of revitalization.
Turner's plan for the next four years is to continue prudent budgeting, finish adding officers to the streets and use a newly formed development fund to leverage private investment in neighborhood projects.
"Development is going to be the key. We have laid the groundwork," Turner said.
Capizzi, 43, an attorney, gave up his commission seat to challenge Turner.
Capizzi, who is mostly known for his gun control ordinance and efforts to bring minor league baseball to Dayton, told voters that he was the man who could bring Dayton together.
"It was a tough race, trying to go up against an incumbent," Capizzi said. He also said his support of minor league baseball in Dayton hurt him. "I think my opponent used it to his every advantage."
Turner emerged from political obscurity four years ago to beat incumbent Democrat Richard Clay Dixon by less 400 votes. In his first term in office, Turner promised to clean house and change business as usual in City Hall. But he made enemies along with waves and his critics say his style shows an inability to form coalitions.
With two Democrats, Wiseman and Lewis, elected to the commission, Turner will once again be the sole Republican on the commission. He said, "I've certainly done that before. I have a great deal of respect for Lloyd and Wiseman and we will work very well with (Commissioners Idotha Bootsie) Neal and (Dean) Lovelace."
Capizzi had set his sights on becoming mayor some years ago and even considered entering the primary four years ago against fellow Democrat Dixon.
Asked what's next for him, he said, "I'm going to look for opportunities where I can to help the city."
This might include serving on boards and commissions but at this point, Capizzi said, he does not expect to run for another elected office.
Montgomery County Democratic Party Chairman Dennis Lieberman said, "I feel badly for Tony. He had his heart set on this and he gave it his best."
Staff writer David Mendell contributed to this report.
* CONTACT Laura Bischoff at 225-2446; or e-mail her at laura_bischoff@coxohio.com
[A DIFFERENT VERSION OF THIS STORY APPEARED IN THE CITY EDITION]
PHOTO CREDIT: BILL REINKE/DAYTON DAILY NEWS