When Darwin Hindman ran for mayor in 1995, he was a 61-year-old lawyer with an interest in parks, trails and physical fitness.

G.J. McCarthy photo

Above, Mayor Darwin Hindman, center, laughs as former Mayor Mary Anne McCollum, left, pins a corsage on his wife, Axie, during an election party last night at the Tiger Hotel downtown. Hindman was elected to an unprecedented fifth term over opponent John Clark, who also unsuccessfully challenged Hindman in 2004. Below, Election Judges Tamara Hutchen, left, and Pat Brumbach, listen as mayoral candidate John Clark talks about voter turnout yesterday at the Columbia Armory Sports Center, where he voted.

Don Shrubshell photo

Now, more than a decade later, he is a 73-year-old retired lawyer who has become the longest-serving mayor in Columbia history. And he’s still interested in parks, trails and physical fitness.

"I feel like I have added priorities to what most mayors do," Hindman said, referring to his efforts to ensure that parks are secured and walkways are built around the city. "Fundamental to a city is what it looks like" and "its parks, its health."

Yesterday, voters apparently agreed.

Columbia residents who cast ballots in yesterday’s municipal election chose Hindman for an unprecedented fifth three-year term on the Columbia City Council. Only three other Columbia mayors served more than three terms, according to city records.

Unofficial results posted by Boone County Clerk Wendy Noren show that Hindman easily defeated challenger John G. Clark with 9,671 votes, or 75 percent, to Clark’s 3,224.

Forty-one residents cast ballots for write-in candidates.

"People genuinely like him," former Mayor Mary Anne McCollum said. "They appreciate the fact that he’s willing to take on the responsibility and devote the time necessary to do a good job."

Throughout the four-month campaign, Hindman touted his council experience and his record. Clark, who unsuccessfully challenged Hindman for the office in 2004, had argued that 12 years was enough and that the city council needed to rethink its policymaking priorities.

Clark reiterated those comments at a gathering last night at his home in north-central Columbia. He said a number of city residents are upset with a perceived move toward allowing city administrators to guide policy, rather than the city council.

"These are not ‘I’m going to fix your streets’ arguments," said Clark, who did not rule out another run in 2010. "I hope people will recognize their issues in my platform. "I was a credible candidate. I stood up and got on the ballot."

While Clark relied on word-of-mouth to get out his message, Hindman raised nearly $19,000 for advertising.

Clark’s supporters last night said they were disappointed more people did not vote for him.

"I’ve known him for a long time, and he doesn’t speak in platitudes," Scott Denson said. "He’s more prepared than anyone else. I hope he runs again."

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