Challenger wins
Challenger wins: Brownrigg takes most votes in Burlingame, O’Mahony out
November 04, 2009, 02:17 AM By Heather Murtagh
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| Andrew Scheiner/Daily Journal Michael Brownrigg, center, his wife Marty, left, and son along with supporters watch the election results at his Burlingame home Tuesday. |
Burlingame Planning Commissioner Michael Brownrigg not only claimed a spot on the City Council after generating the most voter support, he also appears to have pushed out five-time mayor Rosalie O’Mahony.
Brownrigg — the lone challenger against Mayor Ann Keighran, Vice Mayor Cathy Baylock and O’Mahony — received the most support with 2,704 votes, according to the San Mateo County Election’s Office. Keighran followed with 2,670 votes. The real race was between Baylock and O’Mahony who ended up with a 77 vote difference in the semi-official final results.
Those 77 votes were enough to bring O’Mahony’s 20 years on the council to an end. She could not be reached for comment.
Brownrigg was humbled by the victory and those who supported him.
“To have people of this caliber rooting for you and working for you, it’s remarkable, and uplifting, and a little intimidating,” he said.
Unseating an incumbent is not unheard of in Burlingame. In 2007, Jerry Deal joined the council after generating 23 percent of the vote compared to 22.2 percent generated by then councilman Russ Cohen who was ending a two-year term. Councilwoman Terry Nagel was the last person to unseat a councilmember who served a full term. Nagel joined the council in 2003 as a grassroots outsider beating Mary Janney, who had more than 20 years political experience.
Brownrigg, 47, similarly described his campaign as a grassroots effort.
In the coming years, Brownrigg will focus on rebuilding the business base. Doing so, he hoped, will support the reason so many people come to Burlingame: Libraries, downtown and schools.
Keighran, who joined the council in 2005, celebrated her re-election at Il Piccolo Caffe.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a good four years. I look forward to seeing a lot of projects finished: The Safeway project, the downtown specific plan,” Keighran said, adding her efforts have been focused on the Broadway area and she hopes to put the same effort into the streets around Burlingame Avenue.
Raising new revenue will be Keighran’s top priority.
Baylock, 49, cracked the champagne late in the evening, noting the close race between her and O’Mahony until the semi-official final report was posted shortly after 11 p.m.
“As far as I can tell, I won by 77 votes. We have a lot of grateful people here,” she said. “I’m speechless. I’m grateful for having people remain faithful to me during this election.”
Given the opportunity to continue on council, Baylock will work to ensure high-speed rail does not destroy Burlingame.
O’Mahony, 78, presents a long history on the council. The five-time mayor joined the City Council in 1989. She was drawn to Burlingame in 1965 — the year she began teaching math at the College of San Mateo.
Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.