Hanson’s second floor bar, at the corner of Louisiana and Pearl, was packed elbow-to-elbow election night as small bands of seemingly feral children swept back and forth slightly below belt level. The din was deafening and the crowd upbeat following an initial vote count from Denver Clerk Debra Johnson reported Jolon Clark with a 56-44 advantage over Alex Greco. Not much actually separated these two candidates, both young men with families and only minor policy differences – an apparent, coin flip call for voters. The two survivors from a nine-way primary race in May where they were separated by just 10 points, Clark receiving 26 percent and Greco clocking in at 16 percent. When Channel 7 declared Clark the winner close to 8 p.m., his lead had continued to hold steady at 12 points. Clark received endorsements from all seven candidates eliminated in May, including former State Rep. Anne McGihon, who was there for Clark’s victory party.

Greco, the government affairs manager for CDOT, could boast a long history of political involvement with Democratic candidates and campaigns, as well as a tour of duty as a Congressional aide in Washington. This experience secured him a lengthy list of high profile endorsements, including former Denver Mayor Federico Peña and House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, together with a fundraising advantage.Proving once again that endorsements have virtually zero influence on voters, it was Clark’s “base” among young families that likely swung this election in his direction. A Denver native and graduate of South High School who works for the Platte River Greenway Foundation, he has hosted field trip visits from local elementary classes for several years – meeting moms, teachers and chaperones from throughout the District 7 neighborhoods. His wife also teaches in the Denver schools. The kids clambering on Hanson’s pool tables and snatching french fries from abandoned plates on $4 hamburger night testified to those links.

A first-time candidate with little or no previous political involvement, Clark hired Melanie Gann of Outreach Matters in February to steer his campaign. Gann has previously worked as a second or third in command for State Rep. Daniel Kagan, recently deceased Aurora Rep. John Buckner and Councilwoman Robin Kniech’s at-large effort four years ago. Launching her own firm with Clark’s relatively dark horse campaign, she is sure to be in demand as next year’s legislative face-offs develop. Asked what she felt made the difference for her candidate, she pointed to face-to-face conversations with residents. “Jolon may have knocked on more doors than all the other candidates combined and he became very good at it,” she reports. Gann also noted that, “We learned voters weren’t interested in another ‘establishment’ pol, so we began to emphasize Jolon’s local roots in the community, where he has lived his entire life.” That seemed to turn the trick for Clark. And he was quick to thank them for their unwavering support election night.

A last minute kerfuffle about a national Realtors PAC flyer supporting Clark may have backfired; as the Greco campaign’s complaints were raised the same day another mailing from a pro-marijuana PAC hit doors on his behalf. Gann is a Denver native herself and appreciated the importance of emphasizing that the District 7 Council seat wasn’t going to be a stepping stone for her candidate, but was the job he really wanted.

In my experience, local elections don’t necessarily go to the flashiest or even the smartest candidate, but to the candidate, who, on the day after his or her announcement, can motivate at least dozens, preferably hundreds of their neighbors, to wake up the next morning asking themselves, “What can I do today to help?” Involvement in your community, whether it has been with the PTA, the Boy Scouts, Big Sisters, a successful business or even a political party is the currency that creates a cadre of devoted supporters. Wayne New’s long service as president of the Cherry Creek North Neighborhood organization likely contributed to his victory in District 10 for the same reason.

– mnhwriter@msn.com.