Lehman wins fifth term on Linton City Council

Nigel Lehman. (Photo by Nick Schneider)

Seven proved a lucky number in Linton Ward 7 on Tuesday, as incumbent City Councilman Nigel Lehman, a Democrat, won his fifth term by only seven votes, defeating Republican challenger Jared Albright.

The victory proved to be the narrowest win in local races.

Lehman, who's been in office since 1995, took 165 votes to Albright's 158.

Despite the close count, Albright won't challenge the results.

"We talked about it, but I don't see much margin for error there," the first-time candidate said. "So nope. We're going to let it go. I'm happy with the way things went, especially as a Republican in what's primarily a Democratic town."

For Lehman, the narrow margin necessary to ultimately win may have come before the polls even opened.

Absentee votes cast prior to Election Day may have accounted for much of Lehman's win, as the incumbent drew 67 votes to Albright's 25.

At the polls, however, Albright outdrew the veteran councilman by a wide margin, winning 133 votes to Lehman's 98.

"I knew going into it that absentee ballots were going to be the key, especially when you're going up against someone who's been in office nearly 20 years," Albright said. "I knew that was going to be where the battleground was."

The win makes Lehman the longest-serving current city council member.

"It was a good election between me and Jared," Lehman said. "We stood side by side, and we talked a lot. You couldn't ask for a better guy to run against you. ... It was a nice battle between me and him, and I'm happy I came out on top."

For Lehman, named to the city's Hall of Fame by the Linton Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday's win proved particularly sweet.

"There comes a time in your life when a thing like this really means something to you," said Lehman, whose efforts ensured the A.M. Risher Pool stayed open. "This meant a lot to me. ... You take care of the city, and it will take care of you. This town's been good to me, and I've been good to it."

Albright intends to run again for local office.

"I won't be going away," he said. "Nigel's done a fine job, and he has four more years. It was a lot of fun, and we had a really good race. I'd like to thank everyone who came out and voted for me."

Lehman was elected as council president in 2008.

He's a retired businessman who once owned the city's first fast food restaurant, the Master Chef, as well as H & L Tire Company. He also once managed the Abram-Hawkins concrete plant.

The councilman and his wife, Barbara, have three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Albright, who works in regional sales for Lewellyn Technologies, organized and oversees the annual Linton Music Festival.