Predictions of a million-dollar mayoral campaign proved too rich to be true: Both major candidates combined spent less than half of that on Cincinnati's first direct election of a mayor since 1925.

        And the 26 candidates who ran for City Council — the largest field in a decade — were similarly frugal. Campaign expenditure totals dipped to their lowest level in at least a decade, according to campaign finance reports filed Fridayat the Hamilton County Board of Elections.

        The 26 council candidates spent $1.7 million total in the 2001 campaign. That's far less than the 1999 record of $2.5 million, and even less than the almost $2 million spent in 1997, when campaign finance limits of $1,000 per donor were in effect.

        One possible explanation for the dip in political spending: term limits.

        Republican Phil Heimlich, who set a record for City Council in 1999 with $504,176 raised, could not run again after eight years at City Hall.

        Council campaign spending is likely to increase again in 2003, when a system of taxpayer-financed campaigns takes effect.

        Participating candidates will receive matching funds, and the city estimates the campaigns will cost taxpayers $1.5 million.

        Add the candidates' seed money plus the amounts raised by candidates who opt out of the public finance system, and the total could once again exceed $2.5 million.

        There were wide disparities in what candidates spent in their 2001 campaigns.

        Democratic Mayor Charlie Luken spent $396,802 — or $8.05 per vote — to hold off a challenge by Charter candidate Courtis Fuller, who spent $86,469, or $2.14 per vote.

        Republican Pat DeWine spent almost as much as Mr. Luken to get elected to City Council. He spent $383,529, or $8.59 per vote.

        The most frugal winners were Democrat Paul Booth, who spent $48,666 ($1.69 per vote) and Charterite Jim Tarbell, who spent $72,731 ($1.98 per vote).

        But Mr. Booth and Mr. Tarbell, as incumbents, had the benefit of name recognition.

        Lesser-known challengers such as Democrat Jane Anderson ($80,860) and Charterite Dawn Denno ($76,030) spent more than Mr. Tarbell and came in 12th and 14th, respectively.

        “As a nonincumbent, you're starting from zero, so you almost have to spend more,” said Democrat David Pepper, who spent $293,602 raised from 1,100 contributors and became the top vote-getter.

        Councilman Chris Monzel, a Republican, did not file a campaign finance report by the deadline but estimated $117,000 in expenditures in the most recent period.

        Under state law, the Hamilton County Board of Elections must file a complaint against Mr. Monzel's committee with the Ohio Elections Commission.

        “Quite frankly, we're embarrassed,” said Mr. Monzel's chief of staff and campaign manager, Dick Hammersmith. “It was a miscommunication, and I take full responsibility for it.”

        Campaign spending for Minette Cooper was unclear because of a typographical error on her report.

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