Democrat Ron Matekaitis celebrated his re-election to a third term for State’s Attorney at the DeKalb Elk’s Club Tuesday night.

Matekaitis won with 61.91 percent of the vote by a margin of 10,011 votes against Republican Clay Campbell, according to DeKalb County’s Web site.

“It’s been a long campaign and everyone in this room knows this well. At this point, you think back to where the journey started, and we worked very hard,” Matekaitis said. “I lost by 19 votes [in 1996] and won the election in 2000, and had a re-election in ‘04.”

Matekaitis’ opponent, Republican Clay Campbell, could not be reached for comment.

Matekaitis won several precincts this election he has previously not won, including Sandwich.

Campaign manager Kay Phillips said many preparations were involved in the re-election process.

“[We were] making sure we had bus signs on and yard signs out and getting ahold of everybody who wanted to volunteer and help us out,” Phillips said.

John Farrell, chief civil assistant in the state’s attorney’s office, said he was confident Matekaitis would win.

“The kind of office he runs is very professional, and I think the voters appreciate that…I feel very strongly he is the right man for the job,” Farrell said.

Wife Leslie Matekaitis said Ron had a lot of support and believes strongly in the people he works with.

Matekaitis is looking forward to the future.

“Really, in the end, we have opportunities to build upon successes we’ve had in the past,” Matekaitis said. “When you get 62 percent of the vote, the public thinks we’re doing a heck of a job.”