For Roswell Mayor Jere Wood: "It's all good!" 77 votes good, that is.

For Roswell Councilwoman Lori Henry, who finished third in the general election and supported Wood in the runoff, it's poetic justice.

For former Roswell Councilman David Tolleson, it's a devastatingly biitter narrow defeat, marked by a cynical campaign of style and geography, devoid of any compelling issues and lacking in substance.

For turncoat Roswell Councilman Rich Dippolito, who stabbed his mentor Henry in the back and abandoned his former ally, Roswell Councilman Kent Igelheart in his time of need - rolling the dice on Tolleson and Igelheart's defeated opponent James Pollak - it was a Las Vegas crap out. He gets on his red-eye flight back home dead broke.

For Roswell voters, who turned out in record numbers for the spirited run-off - at nearly a 90 percent clip from the general election - it's a testament to their engagement and sophistication.

The big loser in this run-off was apathy. Never underestimate the Roswell voter. 

TOLLESON CONCEDES

Tolleson conceded defeat about midnight last night. 

"I'm pleased with the campaign we ran and that there was an opportunity for dialogue and discussion in the community. A lot of people got involved and engaged," Tolleson said. "I think that speaks to the interest of the citizens in the future of Roswell. And that's what we were talking about," he added. 

Tolleson will be back at City Council on Monday for National Inclusive Schools Week. 

WOOD'S WIN 

Jere Wood will serve Roswell for a fourth term as its mayor. Wood's ability to overcome the odds and eke out a narrow victory was a result of a big turnout in west Roswell, and his newfound friends, Lori Henry and Kent Igleheart. 

No math puts Wood in the victory column without Henry's unabashed and enthusiastic support. She got her voters out, and helped Wood overcome conventional wisdom to win re-election after a general election campaign where 60 percent of these same Roswell voters rejected him.

Tolleson, who hoped to ride an east Roswell wave and capitalize on Wood's negatives going in to the run-off, couldn't overcome Henry's endorsement. It turned the election.

"It's all about trust," Henry said on the heels of Wood's win. "My supporters believe me, I have never lied to them. This was the best result for the city we all love. I am thrilled at our mayor's re-election and I am honored to have the unique opportunity to continue working with him in the future in any way that he deems appropriate."

Henry's supporter's - known to be intensely loyal to their candidate - delivered.

"Those who run negative campaigns and distort the truth lose elections in Roswell," said Igleheart. "I am very excited tonight for our mayor, our city, our voters. The truth is a powerful thing."

Wood characterized the election as a "humbling experience" and had this to say about his razor thin come from behind victory:  "This race has been good for Roswell.  It has brought forward new ideas and brought attention to areas that need to be improved.
To all of Roswell, I pledge to continue working with you to make Roswell a better place to live. It's all good."