INGALLS — Two of three incumbents retained their at-large spots in a closely contested race for three Ingalls town council seats.

The newcomer is hardly a stranger in town.

Republican Melanie Johnson, 65, president of the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals and Plan Commission, was elected to her first term on the town council.

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“I’m pretty excited,” said Johnson, who is retired. “I worked hard to get it. I walked all over the place, knocking on doors. I’m very excited.”

Johnson’s 102 votes were the most of the five candidates. Democrat Teresa Egerton with 82 votes and Republican Scot Lawyer, with 81 votes, retained seats on the council. Egerton and Lawyer, who was on the board previously from 1996-99, had been appointees from their respective parties.

Town council president Justin Gardner was not re-elected. Gardner had been a part of the council since being appointed in January 2017. He had 77 votes, just four shy of Lawyer’s third and final spot.

“I would have liked to have seen a better voter turnout, but from a personal standpoint, I am happy with the results,” said Lawyer, who was appointed in August. “We’re going to miss Justin and his leadership role.”

“There were five good candidates,” Lawyer, a 47-year-old delivery driver, said. “I don’t think the town was going to suffer no matter who got in. All five candidates were good, and someone was going to be disappointed. I’m fortunate that I am not one of the disappointed ones.”

Gardner, who said he would not seek a recount, had been the town council vice president, but when council president Chris Bradshaw left the board in August, the remaining council voted Gardner to take over Bradshaw’s role.

“I’m a little surprised and a little disappointed, but there were a lot of great candidates running and I wish them all the best,” Gardner said.

Democrat Terry Moody was fifth in the voting, receiving 70 votes.

“I was pretty sure it was going to be a tight race with it being five people going for three spots,” said Egerton, 45, who works as a childcare provider. “I expected it and was kind of worried about it, but I’m happy to still have my seat. I feel bad for Justin, and I wish him the best.”

Republican incumbent Kip Golden ran unopposed and retained his position as Ingalls clerk-treasurer.