Cheers went through the gathered candidates at the Watauga County courthouse as the preliminary results of the Boone municipal race were released.

Incumbent mayor Loretta Clawson and incumbent council member Rennie Brantz will continue to serve. Jamie Leigh was appointed to fill the council position vacated by Liz Aycock in early June and was elected to continue on the council. Appalachian State University student and town planning commission member Andy Ball claimed the third open council seat. Current council member Janet Pepin did not file for reelection.

Clawson received more than half of the mayoral votes at 52 percent of the 1505 cast. She received 787 votes.

"We've had a very positive campaign this year from all of the candidates, as opposed to the 2007 election," she said. "We have many projects in the works, like the Land Use Master Plan and urban forestry. I look forward to working hard for the next four years, just like I have for the last four."

Clawson is entering her 12th year on the town council, including four years as mayor.

Clawson will serve a four-year term. In previous elections, the mayor's term was set at two years. The council voted earlier this year to change the length of term.

Brantz has served four years on the council and also serves on the town's historic preservation commission.

"I am looking forward to continuing to serve the people of Boone," he said.

The council will now consist of experienced members, an accountant and a student bringing new ideas, Brantz added.

Leigh, who estimates knocking on 1,500 doors prior to the election, took the most votes in the council race at 937.

"I listened more than I talked and feel like I have some ideas," Leigh said of her campaign. "Fiscal responsibility is what I ran on and I intend to follow through on that."

Leigh owns an accounting business in Boone.

Ball is a senior ASU student majoring in government and public policy.

"It has been a good experience for my first campaign. I was able to get out and meet hundreds of Boone voters. I am excited to transition from community and volunteer involvement to serving on the council," he said.

This will be the first time in 20 years, according to Ball, the town has elected an ASU student to the town council.

"Having a student on the council and county commission [Tim Futrelle] at the same time speaks volumes to the attitudes of voters in Boone and Watauga County toward students and the university," Ball said. "I hope I can help to improve the relationship between the town and university. Those doors are already cracked and half-open."
 
Two other town candidates were present in the courtroom as results were announced.
 
John J. Mena ran in the mayoral race, receiving 237 votes.

"Everything has been very cordial," Mena said. "I am a neophyte. I've never gotten involved in politics before and it's been an eye-opening experience. I have been talking and listening to individuals for 20 years and the same issues kept popping up - that is why I threw my name in."

Matthew C. Long was also new to the municipal election.

"The campaign has been a very good experience for me," he said. "I wish the best to all those elected. I hope they serve Boone in a professional manner and am confident they will."
 
Following the results announcements, a majority of those in the courtroom went to Galileo's of Boone to celebrate the closing of the race.