Looks Like August Longo *Could* Do the Math: Incumbent Democratic Regional Director Crushes Chris Daly, 77-28

It's Longo -- in a knockout

In what was likely the most contentious race for a volunteer Democratic party regional director position since a tiff between the Lancastrians and Yorkists touched off the War of the Roses, incumbent August Longo on Saturday fended off Chris Daly via a one-sided 77-28 vote at the state party convention.

While Daly framed his decision to run as a move inspired by the euphoria of Barack Obama's ascent to the presidency, Longo and his allies claimed it was part of an elaborate power-grab meant to shore up votes within the local party -- and accused Daly and Aaron Peskin of threatening to dredge up Longo's extensive criminal past if the incumbent didn't step aside (both Daly and Peskin denied this).

We may never know the truth behind all of these accusations. But we do know this: August Longo knew all along where he stood in the eyes of the party delegates who cast their votes overwhelmingly for him Saturday, and he managed to lock up the endorsements -- with office-holders and organized labor -- that earned him two more years as regional director.

"Unless I am crazy and the people helping me on my campaign are crazy, it's such a lopsided vote that even if I lose a third of it, I'm going to win," Longo told SF Weekly prior to the vote -- and just after a letter highlighting his criminal past was sent to party voters.

Whatever Longo is, it turns out he's not crazy.