SHAMOKIN - Bill Milbrand, Barbara Moyer and Charlie Verano won their party's nominations in the city's primary elections.
Milbrand defeated fellow Democrat R. Craig Rhoades in the mayoral race, with an unofficial tally reported Tuesday night of 250 votes to 187 votes. He will face Republican Dan McGaw in November.
McGaw ran unopposed in the primary and received 229 votes.
Milbrand and Rhoades are each members of city council. Although he missed out on a nomination, Rhoades' sixth consecutive term on council runs through 2015.
If Milbrand is successful this fall, his council term must be filled by an appointee.
Milbrand was enjoying his primary election victory at James' Pizza in the city's Fifth Ward. He received word of his win through Rhoades, who he said called to congratulate him - something Milbrand said he appreciated.
"There's certainly no hard feelings between us," he said.
He acknowledged his victory Tuesday is simply a "stepping stone." He expects McGaw will pose a strong challenge in November.
Milbrand said it felt good to gain the support of his party's voters. He hopes that support swells in the general election.
"I can't say enough about how much I love this city," he said.
Moyer topped a crowded Republican field for one of two city council nominations, leading all candidates with 186 votes. Verano followed right behind with 184 votes to get the second nomination.
Both bested current councilman Bill Strausser's 169 votes and Bob Gilligbauer's 53 votes.
Democrat Scott Anderson received 357 votes in his party's primary, setting up a challenge between he and the two Republican winners this fall for two council seats.
There were 32 write-in votes on the Democratic ticket for city council, the most for any of the city's races. A write-in candidate would need 100 votes to appear on November's ballot for council.
Moyer was hosting a small party at her East Sunbury Street home Tuesday night and was watching in anticipation as the results trickled in online on the county's website. When the race was called about 10 p.m., there were "many cheers all around."
The scene was similar for Verano at his North Pearl Street home.
"I'm as happy as can be," Verano said late Tuesday. "Nobody thought I could do it, but I did it."
Both victors congratulated their opponents, with Moyer calling the campaign "honorable." She hopes that will continue in the run up to the general election.
"I feel very honored that those who came out to vote had put their faith in me," Moyer said. "I look forward to meeting with fellow citizens and discussing some of the ideas that I have."
Verano said the two met earlier Tuesday and said they'll work together moving forward.
Barring any changes when the votes are officially counted, the primary election will bring an end to Strausser's time in City Hall. He's in the final year of his first term on city council. Prior to that, he spent 10 years as city controller and another 38 years as the city clerk.
City Treasurer Brenda Scandle, a Democrat, received 388 votes. City Controller Gary Haddock, a Republican, received 264 votes. Both incumbents were unopposed in the primary, as will be the case in the general election.