The results from Tuesday's Democratic primary for mayor could not have been clearer - the 2-to-1 victory by endorsed Democratic candidate and former Auburn Fire Chief Michael Quill over challenger and current City Councilor David Dempsey was decisive. The big question now is what Dempsey will do, heading into November?

Democratic leaders are likely hoping that he will step aside, despite his claim at last week's Democratic primary forum, hosted by this newspaper, that “I'm in this race all the way to November,” since he still has the Independence Party nomination. A number of observers were surprised that Quill was less emphatic when it came to answering the same question at the forum. Some believe that those supporting Quill believed the question would arise and that Quill's tempered and thoughtful answer might give Dempsey pause.

Those who were in attendance may remember that the councilor also made it clear, at the start of the forum, that the priority was to defeat Mayor Timothy C. Lattimore, the Republican/Conservative incumbent. But can Dempsey both actively stay in the race and still make sure that Lattimore is defeated?

Probably not.

That puts the Democrat, who has served in city hall and the county Legislature for nearly 15 years, in a pickle. Having received nearly a third of the vote clearly shows that he does have a base of support in the community - though some might infer that part of that number was a backlash vote for the way he seemed to be treated by Democratic County Party Chairwoman Katie Lacey and her supporters prior to the primary.

That in itself may be a factor in how he decides to handle his defeat. By not actively campaigning, or as many Democratic leaders might hope - endorsing Quill, he tacitly gives Lacey what she wants - him out of the race.

Her emissaries will likely couch their calls for him to not campaign or to make an endorsement as a way to preserve his standing within the Democratic Party, in case he ever wants to make a comeback.

It is not clear if he would buy that. At the same time, unless he really believes that he can win in what may be a close three-way race this November, he knows that staying in only helps the person he claims he wants to defeat - Lattimore.

So will Dempsey continue to run hard? Will he endorse Quill?

Will he say he is still running, but not actively campaign?

Will he take part in the forums that are already scheduled this fall? Only he knows and what he does will impact Election Day.

Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn and can be contacted at cozguytho@aol.com