COLUMBUS Democrat Michael Coleman overcame attacks that he was soft on crime and ineffective on economic development to easily defeat his Republican challenger Tuesday and win a third term as mayor of the nation s 15th largest city.

In early returns, Coleman was ahead 71 percent to Bill Todd s 29 percent.

Todd, 54, a longtime party insider little known to the public, frequently represents GOP interests in election disputes.

Coleman, 52, had only minor-party opposition in 2003, when he swept to a second term.

Read more in later editions of The Blade and toledoblade.com

First Published November 7, 2007, 2:36 a.m.