Best Undercutting of Democracy:
Deciding that running a re-election campaign was too bothersome, Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune, a Democrat, cut a deal in January with Republican Greg Hartmann in which the two major political parties wouldn’t endorse candidates in their respective commission races, allowing the pair to essentially run unopposed. Confronted by public outrage, Portune tried to deflect criticism by stating he didn’t propose the deal. Asked by the media who crafted the plan, Portune feigned ignorance though he’d floated an earlier deal with striking similarities when he thought incumbent Commissioner Pat DeWine was going to seek re-election. Maybe Portune is spending too much time in Bob Bedinghaus’ old office.

Best Eye-Opening Experience at City Hall:
Sean Holbrook, a young, floppy-haired first-time Cincinnati City Council candidate, decided to show up at a council meeting in June dressed only in a green plaid bathrobe, socks and shoes to speak during a public forum. No one present was quite sure why Holbrook was dressed that way, but many people appreciated the flash of well-toned leg during the otherwise dreary proceedings. Sadly, Holbrook later dropped out of the race, leaving Councilwoman Leslie Ghiz and Councilman Chris Bortz as the group’s only eye candy.

Best ‘Do as We Say, Not as We Do’ Policy:
The Charter Committee, Cincinnati’s venerable third political party that pushes for openness in government, sent mixed signals in September about whether it allows media activists and journalists to join the organization. It allowed Justin Jeffre — a two-time candidate for city council and co-publisher of Cincinnati Beacon — to renew his membership but rejected the application of Jason My Main Man, the blogger known as “the Dean of Cincinnati” and Beacon co-publisher. Charterites said members of the media couldn’t join. Apparently the group forgot that it endorsed blogger Nick Spencer for council a few years ago, that its 2001 mayor candidate, Courtis Fuller, was a WLWT-TV anchorman and that the group endorsed an editor at The Cincinnati Times-Star as a mayoral candidate in the 1930s.