Results from Tuesday’s general election return two incumbents and give residents a new voice of leadership on the Seymour City Council.

Voters in District 4 re-elected current council President Republican Jim Rebber to serve a sixth term. He earned 328 votes or 62 percent, beating first-time candidate Democrat Tammy Riordan, who received 208 votes or 39 percent.

Independent Shawn Malone, a political newcomer and longtime incumbent Democrat Lloyd Hudson won the election for two at-large seats in a close race. They beat incumbent Republican Darrin Boas, who was selected by a caucus this year to fill a vacancy and Republican Kendra Zumhingst.

Malone received 763 votes or 28 percent of the 2,706 votes cast. Hudson earned 655 votes or 24 percent to begin his sixth term. Boas received 647 votes or 23.9 percent, and Zumhingst picked up 641 votes or 23.7 percent.

Voter turnout for the day was just 11.4 percent or 1,356 of 11,816 eligible voters casting ballots.

Rebber said he appreciates those voters who did visit the polls to make their voice heard and is looking forward to continuing his work to make Seymour a better place to live, work and play.

“I certainly appreciate the voters that came out, and I appreciate those who went out of their way to talk to their neighbors and their friends urging them to vote for me,” he said.

Rebber said he was impressed by Riordan’s campaign and how hard she worked and appreciated her efforts.

“I hope that I can serve everybody in Seymour and that our decisions as a collective body are what’s best for Seymour,” he added.

Malone said he is excited about joining the council and as an independent in his 40s is proud to bring a different perspective to the decision-making process.

“First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone who got out and voted,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working for the people of the city and with the fellow council members and mayor.”

With the addition of Malone, there will be two independents on the council. The other is Dave Earley, who represents District 5. He ran unopposed.

“I think this is a great group of people, and I think we can get a lot of things done,” Malone said.

Two of the biggest issues Malone said he wants to help address in the coming years are dealing with the potential problems being caused by increased rail traffic through the city and improving the city’s roads.

Malone said he is proud to see younger, civic-minded people like himself and fellow new council member Matt Nicholson, who ran unopposed for District 3 getting involved in helping shape the city’s future.

“We want common ground, and we want people to work together for the good of everyone in Seymour,” he said.

Hudson said he was surprised by how close the at-large race was and glad he ended up in the top two.

“I want to thank all those who came out to vote,” he said. “There were more voters out than I thought there would be. This shows that every vote counts.”

He said with two new candidates joining the council in January, it will be a learning experience for everyone.

Although disappointed in their losses, Riordan, Zumhingst and Boas said they enjoyed the experience and being involved in the political process and won’t rule out another run for office in the future.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”By the numbers” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Seymour City Council

District 4

Republican Jim Rebber (I);328

Democrat Tammy Riordan;208

At-large (two seats)

Independent Shawn Malone;763

Democrat Lloyd Hudson (I);655

Republican Darrin R. Boas (I);647

Republican Kendra Zumhingst;641

[sc:pullout-text-end]