CLAY COUNTY – Super Municipal Tuesday is over with three races decided, and one new face on the council of the county’s largest municipality.

In the unofficial results, Thomas Michael Smith won a first term on the Green Cove Springs City Council, and Steven Kelley retained his seat.

The city welcomed Smith as a new city council member in Seat 4. Smith’s 820 votes bested Kenneth Mudge’s 343 votes, which was a 70.51% to 29.49% margin. Smith will replace the outgoing Van Royal.

Smith said Wednesday morning, the victory has been a period of reflection. Already a member of various committees, it’s time to work, he added.

“We’re super grateful, the support was incredible,” Smith said. “It’s been very hectic. I’m really looking forward to diving into the things coming toward our city.”

In a statement, Mudge thanked family, friends, voters and supporters for giving him the strength to run.

“This is not the outcome we wanted. Even in defeat, this is not a loss,” he said. “I will take the lessons that this has taught me and move forward.”

The closest race of the evening saw Green Cove Springs Council Member Kelley secure a third and final term. For Seat 5, Kelley defeated Darren Stutts with 674 votes to 498 votes, or 57.51% to 42.49%, respectively.

With the win, Kelley said he could finish what he started. Kelley said he is encouraged by the competitors in the Green Cove Springs races.

“I’m just excited and relieved to get my third opportunity serving in Green Cove Springs,” Kelley said. “It’s a critical time and we’re faced with some of our biggest challenges.”

Stutts said he wouldn’t change a thing about his campaign and he wished Kelley well. He is looking forward to his next opportunity to run for office. Stutts thanked voters, residents and business owners for their support.

“For a first-time candidate, I had a pretty good experience,” Stutts said.

In Orange Park, Susana Thompson won her first three-year term, though she was elected to serve the final year of a vacated seat last year. In Orange Park Town Council’s Seat 4 race, Thompson defeated Susan Winnette Sandlin with 522 votes, or 60.28%, to 324 votes, respectively.

Both municipalities had one board member retain their seat because they were unopposed. Former Green Cove Springs Mayor Connie Butler didn’t face opposition for Seat 1 and will enter her final term. Orange Park Mayor Randy Anderson secured a second term without opposition.

Keystone Heights also had an incumbent council member, Tony Brown, and a new candidate, Christine Thompson, win seats without opposition.