Voters in Lenoir stuck with three incumbents and ushered in one newcomer during Tuesday's election.

According to the unofficial returns, Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Gibbons led the way with 1,070 votes and was followed by fellow Councilman David Stevens with 987.

Ron Stilwell, making a return to politics after previously serving on the Caldwell County School Board, was third with 985 votes, while Councilman and former City Manager Lewis Price gained the fourth spot with 731 votes. Stilwell will fill the spot currently occupied by Councilwoman Dr. Marjorie Strawn, who chose not to seek re-election after more than 20 years on the council.

The four elected council members will have four-year terms.

Gary Whisnant finished fifth with 534 votes and was followed by Michael McCoy (441 votes), Enoch Moeller (232) and Dave Soldat (164).

"I love this community, and I am proud to be a part of it," Gibbons said after winning a second term. "I care about my town and my city, and I feel like I have something to give."

The son of Robert Gibbons, the former longtime mayor of Lenoir, Gibbons said he will continue to push for economic growth and keeping tax rates in check.

"We've got to put people back to work and keep tax rates low," he said. "It's going to take a tough bottom line to do that, and we've got good city leadership to do that."

Stevens, who has been on the council since 2003, said the outcome represents a validation of what the current council has been doing. He reiterated Gibbons' focus on helping to provide economic opportunity.

"I'm very appreciative of the people who did come out and vote," Stevens said. "It's a seal of approval of some sort of what is going on in Lenoir.

"The main thing we need to focus on is economic development. I think we are going to be healthier as we rebuild our economy."

Meanwhile, Stilwell said his strong showing was the result of an intensive campaign effort that included "48 committed volunteers."

"I was able to put together a tremendous support team for early voting," Stilwell said. "We tried to plan what we thought was a fair and hard-working effort."

Stilwell said he intends to engage in one-on-one meetings with downtown business people and wants to reach out to the entire Lenoir community.

"I'm not a yes person, and I'm not going to be rubber-stamping anything," he said. "You need to look at what the community is saying."

Price, who served as Lenoir's city manager for 19 years, said he appreciates the support of the residents. "I'm proud that the people decided that they wanted me four more years," Price said. "I do have a difficult time asking people to vote for me. I am happy to be able to serve another four years."

Though disappointed he didn't win, Whisnant said he is pleased with the support he received.

"I had 534 people take a shot at me for change," he said. "That's not bad in my opinion."

The four candidates elected Tuesday night will join current council members Todd Perdue, Merlin Perry and T.J. Rohr.