By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer

POSTED: 09:20 p.m. EDT, Oct 24, 2009: The Democratic at-large candidates include an incumbent who wasn’t supported by Mayor Don Plusquellic, a former councilman who was and a woman with years of political experience — just not on council.

Linda Omobien, who has a highly recognizable name thanks to her 16 years on the Akron school board, had the second-best showing among the Democrats, trailing Williams by only 58 votes. She was recruited but didn’t run on any slate, saying she wanted to be elected on her own merit.

Mike Williams, a councilman since 1988, was the top vote-getter among the Democrats and the only at-large incumbent to win in the primary. He has emphasized his experience and how he doesn’t always side with Plusquellic. He ran with at-large Councilman John Conti, who lost.

Jeff Fusco, a former councilman and retired deputy public service director, was among a slate of candidates supported by Plusquellic. He initially tied with Terry Albanese, the Ward 6 councilwoman who also was on the mayor’s slate, but beat her by seven votes in a recount.