Joey Opperman, in the alley behind Benjamin HQ on another recent interview/smoke break. -- Brad Warthen

For Benjamin campaign manager Joey Opperman, journalists are a bad influence. He generally treats a visit from the Fifth Estate as an excuse to step outside for a smoke. And, his being the peripatetic type, a health-minded scribe has to stay in motion to keep upwind of him as he paces.

When I dropped by to see him early this afternoon, once we had stepped outside, he said there was “heavy turnout everywhere” — the term “heavy turnout” being relative, given that this is an April city election, and they are death to turnout. It’s “heavy” in the sense that it was looking as though the numbers would be a little higher than in the April 6 vote, which I believe is sort of unusual.

By the way, he’s not the only one seeing increased turnout. The State is reporting this.

“Heavy turnout” would seem to favor Joey’s  guy. But he noted it was also heavy at precincts where Finlay is strong. He mentioned one box (I forget which it was) where the April 6 vote was 55 percent for Finlay, with the rest split between the Steves, and it was pretty crowded today.

The issue, the suspense, is… who are those new voters coming out for?

The Benjamin team is taking nothing for granted. They sent out this missive at 5:39 p.m.:

Dear Brad,

We are closer than ever to making history and bringing A New Day to Columbia.  But the job is not done yet.

THERE ARE LESS THAN 90 MINUTES REMAINING IN THE ELECTION!

If you have already voted for Steve Benjamin, please grab five people and make sure they go vote Steve Benjamin before 7 p.m.  If you haven’t voted, then now is the time!

We can also use your assistance at the campaign headquarters, 1529 Washington Street.

If you need a RIDE TO THE POLLS, please immediately call our hotline at (803) 445-4160.

Thank you for joining us in this historic election!

We will see you this evening at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center as we celebrate victory!