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Just like the Edwardsville mayor's race, the City Council election Tuesday produced a different result from that in February.

Voters had to choose from six candidates seeking three at-large positions on the Edwardsville City Council.

In the primary, incumbents Ed Gillette and Tim Kelly looked like they were on their way to winning their seats on the council with challengers Jennifer Burnett and John Broman vying for the third and final position.

But one can never judge the outcome of an election.

Burnett, who was fourth in primary election results, was the overall winner Tuesday, receiving 387votes, 19.62 percent.

"I'm shocked," she said. "It was a lot of hard work, but it was fun."

She gives credit for her victory to mayor-elect Stephanie Eickhoff.

"Stephanie would drag me out of bed and would say 'How bad do you want this job? You'll lose if you don't get out there,'" she said.

Burnett and Eickhoff spent the last four weekends canvassing the city, going door-to-door and meeting people.

"I thank all those who supported me and I will be their voice on the City Council," she said.

Broman came in second with 371 votes, 18.81 percent.

He campaigned on bringing open communications between city government and its citizens.

"I asked to be their voice and they made the right choice," Broman said.

Broman said he will seek to have a more open and accountable city government that will involve the residents in the decision making process.

Kelly, who won the third seat on the council, said he would continue to remain objective and open to the public as he makes decisions on city policy.

"I hope the residents will now have more of a say and be active in the decision making process," he said.

That's one reason why he didn't take any campaign contributions or affiliate himself with anyone during the campaign.

"I wanted to have a clear conscious and have no hidden agendas," he said.

Yet, he's not taking anything for granted and knows his election to the council was close. Before absentee ballots were counted Tuesday, Kelly was ahead of Gillette by nine votes.

In the final count, Kelly won the election by 10 -- He received 360 votes, 18.26 percent to Gillette's 350, 17.75 percent.

"I'm totally and thoroughly disappointed in the vote," he said. "I respect the wishes of the people and will abide by it."

Gillette said he is proud of the council's accomplishment during the 2 1/2 years he's been in office and he hasn't given up the thought of participating in politics in the future.

First time challengers, Bryan Alldaffer and Cyndi Marble came in fifth and sixth, respectively. Alldaffer received 269 votes, 13.64 percent and Marble received 235 votes, 11.92 percent.

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