Political novice David Pepper finished first in the race for Cincinnati City Council, but all he gets for it this year are bragging rights. Unlike every election for the past 13 years, in which the top vote-getter automatically became mayor, the winner this year gets no special power.

        Instead, the prestige that usually comes with first place will go to Charlie Luken, who became the city's first directly elected mayor since 1926.

        Mr. Pepper, 30, attributed his showing in the council races to a significant door-to-door push reminiscent of other grass-roots campaigns.

        That campaign included a treasury of $243,000 that was second only to contributions raised by Pat DeWine, who finished second.

        Mr. Pepper said he was both “humbled and overwhelmed” by his election to council and by his first-place position.

        “No matter whether I finish first or ninth, I feel honored to be a member of council,” he said from his victory celebration at Leboxx Cafe.

        While other candidates called for change in Cincinnati's leadership, voters Tuesday were unwilling to shake up City Council.

        Fervor over April's riots and a violent summer punctuated by deadly shootings left 26 candidates running for office and many demanding reform.

        But all seven incumbents held onto their seats. And the two new faces — Mr. Pepper and seventh-place finisher Dave Crowley — are both Democrats who ran on platforms of crime prevention, community development and making council more responsive.

        Of the 26 candidates, 15 were African-American. But no new black candidates were elected. That leaves the three African-American incumbents in office with six whites. The city has a 43 percent black population.

        In 1999, four African-Americans were elected to office, and former Councilman Charles Winburn was the only one to finish in the top three overall.

        This year, that distinction went to Councilwoman Alicia Reece, who finished third. Councilwoman Minette Cooper finished fourth, and Councilman Paul Booth finished eighth.

        Dwight Tillery, the former mayor who helped form the African-American Political Caucus this year, said before the election that black voters could decide who becomes mayor and who sits on council.

        “I'm deeply disappointed. In 1995 we elected four African-Americans to council. In 1997 we elected four African-Americans to council. In 1999 we elected four to council. It appears we are going backwards in this community in terms of City Council,” he said Tuesday. “I do not believe that six white males represent diversity on City Council. I don't think that speaks to inclusion on council.”

        The election also means that Democrats will now have a six-member majority on council.

        Republicans, who held three seats on council until Phil Heimlich was prohibited from running for re-election because of term limits, are now represented by Mr. DeWine and Chris Monzel.

        Mr. DeWine said Monday that he did not believe a Republican could come in the top five.

        “We are obviously very excited,” he said. “For a Republican to do that well in the city is a function of the fact that we ran very hard race — a tough campaign. We tried to go out and talk about the issues.”

        Councilman James Tarbell, who came in sixth place, remains the only Charterite in office.

        Mr. Luken, who is also a Democrat, said Tuesday he would not use the majority to create a voting bloc.

        But there are changes coming for the council.

        In years past, the vice mayor was selected by a vote of council. Now, the appointment is up to Mr. Luken, who said he will make it today.

        The mayor previously counted only as a single vote on council. Now the mayor will get no vote. Instead, he has the ability to veto legislation passed by council, which can be overridden by six votes.

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