by BRAD ROLLINS
Managing Editor

Pending tabulation of a provisional and overseas ballots, Mayor Susan Narvaiz was elected to a third term Tuesday night, avoiding a runoff by the narrowest of margins.

Narvaiz won 6,449 votes, 50.08 percent, to retired pilot Dave Newman’s 3,867, 30.03 percent, while Texas State University student Dan McCarthy took 2,562 votes, 19.80 percent.

“I have to give all the glory to God. I will always give the glory to God,” Narvaiz told supporters at the San Marcos convention center she was instrumental in building.

Across town at Tres Hermanas restaurant, Newman conceded upon returns from precinct 334, a heavily student box he thought might pull Narvaiz’s totals below 50 percent and force a runoff.

“We fought the good fight and I have to congratulate Susan on her campaign and winning the race,” Newman said. “It got a little heated from time to time but I think we both maintained our humanity.”

Voters also returned council member Chris Jones to office with 6,165 votes, 55.6 percent, to Lisa Marie Coppoletta’s 4,923 votes, 44.4 percent. Running unopposed, Fred A. Terry garnered 8,818 votes.

A nonbinding referendum on extending bar hours to 2 a.m. garnered 9,374 votes, 71.2 percent, with 3,789 voting against. All 18 proposed amendments to the city charter were also approved with margins ranging from 64 to 80 percent.

RELATED IN THE MERCURY:

• Narvaiz keeps majority in provisional vote tally | November 10, 2008
• Thomaides wins easily; Thomason headed to runoff with Coppoletta | November 3, 2009
• Narvaiz claims victory after recount | November 17, 2008
• The List: Narvaiz draws two challengers | August 26, 2008
• Newman files for recount in mayoral race | November 14, 2008