Mayor, Alderman Keep Seats in April Election

UPDATED 12:50 p.m., Wed., April 3-

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The following is based unofficial returns as reported by the St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners with 100 percent of precincts counted.

The results of the April 2 municipal election are in and, although they aren't official yet, it appears the incumbents won the only two contested races in Town and Country and Manchester.

Tuesday night, Patch reached out to all four candidates in the contested races for a comment, but it was after 10 p.m. when election results came in and calls were made to candidates.

(Check your election results here.)

The unofficial returns indicate Town and Country Mayor Jon Dalton will keep his seat with 1,209 votes, or 76.57 percent of the vote, and serve another four-year term.

His opponent, Barbara Hughes, a former Town and Country alderman, tells Patch she is disappointed by the outcome.

"It was a pleasure serving the residents of Town and Country," Hughes said late Tuesday night. "I ran a clean campaign and followed the rules."

Dalton issued the following statement to Patch in an email Wednesday afternoon.

Today's election represents an incredible vote of confidence from the people of Town & Country, and I am both humbled and truly appreciative for the outstanding level of support I have received.  I simply could not be more proud of the campaign we conducted, which focused exclusively on my eight-year record as mayor and my plans for the next four years, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving our wonderful community.

There were seven total open aldermen seats in Town and Country and Manchester in this election, with eight candidates running. The only contested alderman race, for the seat of Manchester Ward III alderman, was also won by incumbent Alderman John Schrader.

"I was a little scared," Schrader told Patch late Tuesday. "Any time you're running against somebody, you get a little nervous."

Schrader won the seat over his opponent Tony Mueller, with 416 votes, or 65.51 percent. 

"Very excited, very happy and very thankful to the people of Manchester for believing in me and giving me second term," Schrader said.

In an email to Patch late Tuesday night, Mueller said he was excited to see the voter turn-out and shared his thoughts on Schrader's victory.

"Although I did not win I know Schrader has done a fine job in the past term and will continue to serve the people well. Thank you to all who came out for the support! I look forward to serving Manchester in other ways in the future!" Mueller stated in his email.

Aldermen are elected to two-year terms.

Town and Country aldermen Lynn Wright from Ward I, Tim Welby from Ward II, Fred Meyland-Smith from Ward III and Jon Benigas from Ward IV all ran for re-election uncontested.

Manchester aldermen Paul Hamill from Ward I and Michael Clement from Ward II also ran for re-election uncontested.

West County EMS and Fire Protection District

The seat of West County EMS and Fire Protection District Board Chair Richard Rognan also expired this month. Rognan, who reportedly served on the board for 12 years, filed for for re-election and that race was also uncontested.

READ RELATED ELECTION STORIES:

Town and Country-Manchester April 2 Election Guide

April Election 2013: Meet Your Mayoral Candidates

April Election 2013: Meet Your Candidates For Aldermen And Their Qualifications

April Election 2013: Candidates For Aldermen Discuss Their City's 'Primary Issue'

April Election 2013: What Your Candidates For Aldermen Say is City's Greatest Challenge

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