The last poll, released by ChamberRVA, put Morrissey in the lead with 20 percent citywide. That's about the percentage of the vote he took on Election Day.

But the same poll also said nearly 40 percent of voters were undecided, and it was always assumed at least some of those voters would break for Morrissey.

They didn't, and it appears they instead flocked to Stoney and his nearest opponent in the race, former Venture Richmond Director Jack Berry.

It's unclear whether Morrissey's support had always had a low ceiling or late allegations and the emergence of new lewd text messages hurt him.

On election night, Morrissey said he felt the latter played a role.

Students turnout in droves

Stoney's campaign said it was prepared for the other big surprise of the night: that Stoney won the city's 2nd District, which includes much of the Fan.

Going into Election Day, Berry had said he was confident he would take the 2nd District.

Stoney's people, meanwhile, said they had been expecting a substantial boost from Virginia Commonwealth University students, who strongly favored Stoney and turned out in droves for the presidential election.