E-Mail This Article to a Friend Stacey Monahan Old-school union backing wasn’t enough to propel her to a win in 2005 BY DEIRDRE FULTON

AS RESIGNATION set in for about 60 Stacey Monahan supporters gathered at Dorchester’s Florian Hall on Tuesday evening, it was difficult to keep one’s mind from drifting over to Milton, imagining the dancing crowds and infectious enthusiasm bubbling over at Linda Dorcena Forry’s campaign celebration.

No one was dancing in the banquet room of this old-school union hall, where white-haired men in union jackets, their well-coiffed wives, and a smattering of younger folks milled around, snacking on sandwiches and talking union business while stock party tunes played in the background. Even Monahan’s concession speech — a two-minute affair congratulating volunteers on their positive attitudes and dedication — seemed tame compared with what was later described as a rambling, tumbling victory address by Dorcena Forry.

Sure, supporters were full of ringing endorsements for Monahan’s character (she’s honest, level-headed, and quick on her feet), political experience, and intelligence ("Stacey seemed to be the type of person who could actually do things," said Joe Fitzgerald, a 44-year-old nurse from Dorchester). Sure, almost everyone in attendance, including her father, was confident that Monahan would someday run again for office — and win.

But the comparison hung heavy in the air.

Then one person came right out with it. "The only thing that would have changed it is if Linda didn’t run," said State Representative Marty Walsh, one of several politicians who stopped by throughout the evening. In saying so, Walsh touched on a central theme of the 12th Suffolk race: impressive progressive candidates such as Monahan, whose campaigns might have soared in other match-ups, simply didn’t have the resources to compete with Dorcena Forry’s much-touted "coalition," slew of endorsements, and high-energy campaign.

Other theories floated around the room: some suggested that union members, who constituted a large percentage of Monahan’s base, didn’t turn out on Tuesday with the force that the campaign expected; others speculated about Mayor Thomas Menino’s last-minute support for Dorcena Forry. Still others blamed the politics of race, in the 70-percent-minority district, for hurting a white, Irish-Catholic woman’s chances.

But in the end, there wasn’t much more Monahan could have done, people said. "She couldn’t have made herself any more aware of the issues," said Mike Monahan (no relation), business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103. "She couldn’t have knocked on any more doors."

As she mingled with supporters, Monahan admitted the loss was at least partly the result of poor timing — presumably referring to the concurrence of her campaign and Dorcena Forry’s.

"[Monahan] had tough competition," 68-year-old Dorchester native Connie Sullivan said as she left the hall Tuesday night. "We didn’t always have the competition we had in this race." As for Monahan’s future, Sullivan was certain of one thing: "There’s bigger and better things for her."

Maybe next time around, there’ll be dancing.

Deirdre Fulton can be reached at dfulton[a]phx.com