WILLMAR -- Frank Yanish received 4,121 votes and incumbent Les Heitke received 2,447 votes in the race for the four-year term as mayor of Willmar in Tuesday's general election, according to ballots officially canvassed Friday by the Willmar City Council.
The totals are comprised of precinct count and absentee ballot count. Willmar has 12 precincts. Yanish received a precinct count of 3,786 and an absentee ballot count of 335 for a total of 4,121 votes. Heitke received a precinct count of 2,217 and an absentee ballot count of 230 for a total of 2,447 votes.
Besides canvassing the ballots in the mayor's race, the council also canvassed the precinct count and absentee ballot count for the four council seats open. Council members serve four-year terms.
Three incumbents were re-elected without opposition. They were Bruce DeBlieck, Ward 1, with 1,217 votes; Rick Fagerlie, Ward 3, with 1,195 votes; and Doug Reese, Ward 4, with 1,276 votes.
In Ward 2, incumbent Ron Christianson defeated Andrew Bjur, 1,577 to 610.
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City Clerk-Treasurer Kevin Halliday said the election went well and the voting machines were very dependable.
Halliday said Yanish and returning council members will be sworn in at the Jan. 10, 2011, council meeting.
