On Election Night March 2005, political newcomer Jeffrey Hardin thought he had clinched an upset for the ages: Unseating veteran Alderman Freeman Bosley Sr. in the Third Ward.

As the results from each precinct came in, Hardin remained ahead, with his crowd of supporters at election headquarters growing from optimistic to ecstatic.

Then, the bubble burst.

As the last of the results were announced, Bosley jumped ahead, winning by the razor-thin margin of 19 votes.

Nineteen votes!

Hardin challenged the outcome in court, but to no avail. Bosley, a City Hall institution, was back for another term.

Now, three years later, Hardin is getting an early start on a challenge to Bosley in March 2009. Hardin will hold a campaign kick-off event Saturday evening at a hotel downtown.

Will Hardin be able to replicate his strong 2005 showing?

Actually, he thinks he’ll do better — Hardin signed the invite “The Next Alderman of the Third Ward.”