Although the race for the second- and third-place finishers running for the 3rd Ward alderman seat was close, the first place finish was locked away.

Candidate Gary Wiggins ran away with the people’s vote with 354 votes. Opponents Dan Seymour and Susannah “Sukey” Blake had 144 and 127 votes respectively.

“The other two candidates should be very proud of their efforts,” he said.

Wiggins said he will stay with the same goals he had when running for the office. Other than goals of better housing and revitalization, Wiggins said he will concentrate on ‘the quality of life.’

“My basic goal is to provide good quality government for the citizens in the 3rd Ward,” he said.

Wiggins said he also will try to improve sidewalks and streets and will try to better represent the people in the 3rd Ward at city council.

Wiggins said he is proud of voter turnout in the ward.

“Turnout in the 3rd Ward was better than the other wards,” he said.

Wiggins’ opponents say they intend to remain a part of local politics despite their losses.

Seymour said he plans to continue to be a participating member of the public. He said he thinks the campaign was run very well and also was extremely proud of the voter turnout.

“The turnout from the ward shows the highest degree of citizen interest,” he said.

Blake too said she will “stay involved in the city” as she has been before and hopes Wiggins will become involved with the ward.

“I did the best I could with the limitations I had,” she said, which include a limited amount of campaign workers and funds.