Ask voters in Cincinnati's historic direct election for mayor who they voted for, and you're just as likely to hear who they voted against.

        “I just don't think Charlie Luken has the interests of the whole city at heart,” said 35-year-old Renita Street of Bond Hill, who voted for Courtis Fuller. “I think he's lost touch with the black community, the working class, the neighborhoods in general and our youth.”

        Across town at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Covedale, many voters weren't enamored with Mr. Luken either. But some — especially Re publicans who didn't have an endorsed candidate — saw Mr. Luken as the “lesser of two evils.”

        “Luken isn't perfect, but at least he's paid his child support, as far as we know, and he hasn't declared bankruptcy,” said Charlene Norman, 65. “If you weigh the two candidates, Courtis Fuller has no experience.”

        That's a familiar theme among voters in the mayor's race: Mr. Luken's supporters cited his experience; Mr. Fuller's voters responded to his call for change.

        “I voted for Charlie Luken, because he's experienced with the issues,” said Mark Johnson, a 40-year-old Republican. “And I don't think Courtis Fuller ever came out and gave us a response on anything. He dodged the issues, because I don't think he was aware of them.”

        Mr. Fuller's supporters said Mr. Luken's experience is precisely why he can't be trusted to bring about badly needed change.

        “Charlie Luken did some things that hurt with the healing process, and was re ally devisive,” said Barry Bates, 33. “Prior to April, I was very much pro-Luken, because I voted for him before. As time went on, I started to lose confidence in him.”

        Ralph Frazier, 40, said Mr. Luken's handling of the April riots was too simplistic.

        “Luken doesn't understand the needs of the black community. He's more of a curfew man, and he didn't address the real issues. Courtis Fuller, he's more in touch. He has what the city needs. I want someone who will talk things out before calling a curfew.”

        But Robert Naegele, a supporter of Mr. Luken, said the incumbent Democrat did as well as could be expected.

        “When he had to, he shut down the city. And when he didn't have to, he didn't,” Mr. Naegele said. “He might not have always made the right decisions, but all in all, I think he's the best candidate.”

        Whoever they voted for, it was clear that the mayor's race was driving people to the polls.

        Turnout was strong Tuesday in contrast to the September primary, when only 15 percent of the registered voters cast ballots.

        Mr. Luken came in second place in the primary after a large turnout in predominantly African-American wards and a small turnout in Mr. Luken's west-side base.

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