Incumbent Benson Mayor William Massengill soundly defeated Jerry McLamb, his predecessor in the post, in an election with higher turnout than the town saw in 2007. About 750 ballots were cast.

Incumbent commissioners Will Chandler, Frederick Nelson and Doug Oglesby edged out four challengers to win re-election.

"I was very happy to see all the incumbents in Benson go back in," Oglesby said. "It gives us some continuity in terms of moving forward with the strategic plan that we've developed.

"It gives us some confidence that the majority of the town is behind us and what we're trying to do."

Oglesby said he was impressed with some of the challengers and hopes they'll get involved with the town.

McLamb said he was "very disappointed" in the results -- he lost by a much smaller margin in 2007 -- and said he was done with politics.

"I'm afraid it's too late for Benson," he said. "I'm just going to settle back and relax and watch the fun."