teve Kapitan said he was “feeling good” Tuesday night when the results of the election were all but official.

“It’s very gratifying to have that kind of support from people in the 3rd Ward,” he said.

Kapitan said he will remove campaign signs from people’s yards today

“I always enjoy going around picking up these signs the next morning because it gives me a chance to run into people in the ward,” he said.

Kapitan said he was surrounded by friends and supporters from the 3rd Ward at the DeKalb Women’s Area Center when the results from the first five precincts came in indicating that he was in the lead with 603 votes. The news was followed by clapping, cheering, hugs, handshakes and words of congratulations.

Keith Rebhorn, who worked with Kapitan on several issues, said he was pleased Kapitan would retain his post.

“His winning the election is a very good thing for the 3rd Ward,” he said. “It keeps balance on the city council because it’s no secret [candidate] Christine Vesta was backed by Mayor [Greg] Sparrow.”

This was exactly the part of the race Vesta did not agree with.

“My opponent made a race between himself and the mayor, and I’m sorry the 3rd ward saw it that way, because I’m not a rubber stamp for the mayor,” Vesta said.

Vesta said she was proud of the way she ran her campaign cleanly, and said she would not change it if she had the chance to do it again.

Paul Kallemback, chief of staff for Commander Jerry Lundgren at VFW Post 2287, said he still supported Vesta.

“She’s always been a winner, and always will be,” he said.

She said she has no plans to run for office in the future as of now.

“Right now I am looking forward to a good summer with my kids and grandkids,” she said.

Other 3rd Ward candidate, write-in Jim Schneider, on the other hand, said he may run in the future, but next time he wants to be on the ballot.

“I entered the race because 10 days ago the election was about toothpaste, and I wanted to put on the table the issues the 3rd Ward faces,” Schneider said. “I succeeded in doing that because Steve Kapitan retained his seat.”

Schneider said this election exhibited how “out of touch” city hall was with respect to growth issues.

“We’ve brought in many annexations that are not going to pay for themselves,” he said.