Though two wards saw contested races, the Jefferson City Council will change very little at its next meeting.
Incumbents kept their seats in every ward they ran in, with Erin Wiseman in the 3rd Ward being the only new face to join the City Council later this month.
Wards 2 and 4 had the only contested races for Jefferson City Council, with both incumbents retaining their seats for another two years.
In Ward 2, incumbent J. Rick Mihalevich won against a challenge from Bud Fisher, receiving 66.8 percent of the vote or 340 votes. Mihalevich said he felt good about the results and honored to be allowed another two years to serve.
This was the first challenge Mihalevich faced to his council seat. He has run unopposed twice before. Being in a contested race, he said, forced him to work harder to keep his spot and, ultimately, will help him become a better 2nd Ward representative on the council.
"It pushed me to get to know Ward 2 residents in a way that I haven't in the past going unopposed," Mihalevich said. "It was worthwhile and time well spent for me to make myself a better councilman."
Fisher, who received 31.63 percent of the vote or 161 votes, said he was a little shocked at the margin of his loss but was quick to congratulate Mihalevich on his win. Fisher agreed with Mihalevich's sentiments on the contested race, adding all council members should face regular challenges to their seats.
"That's what we need in this community," Fisher said. "Why are these other councilmen not being challenged? You've got to get out there; you've got to make it competitive so that we can actually force people to say where they are with things."
Ultimately, Fisher said he wasn't too disheartened at the loss, noting his retirement makes every day a day off.
"Tomorrow's another Saturday for me, so I didn't have too much of a downside," Fisher said, laughing.
In Ward 4, incumbent Glen Costales won against a challenge from David Durbin, receiving 54.19 percent of the vote or 562 votes. Costales said he believes his track record on the council is what helped him keep his seat, noting he votes from his heart and uses common sense.
"I'm very grateful to the voters of the 4th Ward for rehiring me for an additional two years," Costales said. "I'll continue to work hard to represent the interests of the 4th Ward and vote my heart on issues."
Durbin, who received 45.13 percent of the vote or 468 votes, said he was disappointed in the results. But, the voters had spoken, and he would respect their wishes.
"We have to support Glen (Costales) and the council now as it moves forward," Durbin said.
Durbin said, if he had it to do over again, he would file earlier in the process to allow for more time to campaign, noting he filed on the last day possible.
In Ward 1, incumbent Rick Prather was unopposed for his third term on the council.
In Ward 3, newcomer Erin Wiseman was unopposed as she sought the seat currently held by Bob Scrivner, who is term-limited and could not run again.
In Ward 5, incumbent Larry Henry was unopposed for his third term on the council.
See additional election results in our Politics section.