LAPEL — The only contested race in Lapel saw a familiar face come out on top.
Republican incumbent Dennis Molina retained his position as clerk-treasurer Tuesday, defeating Democrat Trisha (Mosley) Bousman in the lone contested race in the Lapel election.
Molina, 71, the retired Lapel town marshal, received 55.6 percent of the votes, defeating Bousman 155-124.
“I thought I would win by a little bit bigger margin,” Molina said. “I’ve been around this town a long time and know a lot of people. Unfortunately, not a lot of people came out and voted today. I appreciate all those that came out and voted for me.”
Bousman, 49, is the office manager of WC Signs in Lapel and former accounts payable and utility clerk for the Town of Lapel.
It will be Molina’s second term as the town’s clerk-treasurer.
Three Republican at-large council candidates, selected at the May primary, did not face challengers in Tuesday’s election.
Jason Kleinbub, a current councilman, and newcomers Chad Blake and Teresa Retherford will be sworn in in January to the five-person council.
Blake and Retherford will replace town council president Deb Wainscott and vice president Tony Pearson.
Wainscott did not move on to Tuesday’s election after losing her bid for one of the spots in the primary. Pearson did not seek reelection.
On Tuesday’s ballot, Retherford received the most votes, 181, followed by Blake (158) and Kleinbub (153).
Tuesday victors begin their terms in January 2020.
