EAST BUTLER — All three incumbents running for East Butler Borough Council won re-election despite a closely contested third seat, according to unofficial results posted on the county's Bureau of Elections website.

Kevin Hesidenz, a Republican, and Kenneth E. Crispin, a Democrat, solidly took their places back on council with 100 and 71 votes respectively.

Hesidenz said felt confident in declaring victory Tuesday night.

“We've got some challenges for us for the next four years,” he said.

One challenge is Truserv Way, a closed road near the old JSP building that has been the subject of community complaints, according to Hesidenz.

Crispin said finding a way to deal with the closed road will take time.

“We'd have to work together on that,” he said. “It's going to take some doing to get something put through there.”

Crispin said he feels the borough is doing pretty well, and he said the competition for council shows its health.

“Everybody seems to be getting interested in the community,” he said. “It's a good community, so competition is good sometimes.”

The third seat was determined by only two votes, favoring Joseph Lesnik, a Democrat, over the only challenger, Benjamin Herald, also a Democrat.

After hearing that he only won his position by a two-vote margin, Lesnik — who had 66 votes — said he was glad he went campaigning on Election Day. “That was close; two votes,” he said. “I knew it'd be close, but I didn't know how close it would be.”

Herald, who finished with 64 votes, said he was not disappointed by the results because he feels the borough is too comfortable with how things have been. He said he is not discouraged and plans to campaign for change in the next election.

“They think the borough is running fine.” Herald said. “I don't think the way they do.”

Herald said he has talked with Hesidenz, who has encouraged him to keep his sights on public office. Hesidenz also said he would like to reach out to the challenger.

“I am because I don't want him to be discouraged,” he said. “I want him to continue going to these meetings, and him trying to run when it comes time.”

“It shows that there's people that are interested in the borough,” Hesidenz said.