Dan Cougill secured his third term of the office as Charleston’s mayor winning 53 percent of the votes in Tuesday’s election.

Cougill narrowly edged out contender Clancy Pfeiffer with 2,042 votes to Pfeiffer’s 1,808.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Cougill said, while thanking the people who supported him throughout his campaign.

The mayoral campaign became a very negative campaign and was emotionally taxing, Cougill said.

“I appreciate very much the confidence and support I had,” Cougill said.

After learning of his defeat, Pfeiffer, a former mayor, said he still plans to help the city and he does not have any plans for the future.

“I love the city and I still stand ready to help the city,” Pfeiffer said.

Pfeiffer said what hurt him in this election were some misconceptions the public had about him.

“The only thing that killed me was the `good old boys’ and the bar-entry age, I couldn’t shake it,” Pfeiffer said.

Pfeiffer said he never had any intention of lowering the bar entry age.

“I thought I had the experience and ability to help the city,” Pfeiffer said.

During his upcoming four-year term, Cougill said he is committed to finishing the implementation of the plans laid out in the city’s five-year plan. The five-year plan is a rolling plan that lays out water, sewer, sidewalk, street and beautification plans for the city.

Some of the most important items on Cougill’s agenda include working on the completion of the renovation of the water treatment plan. In the past, Cougill has stated his intention of resolving the taste and odor problems that Charleston has faced.

Cougill’s wife, Sallie, said their door will always remain open in the future to talk to residents like it has been for the past eight years.

For this election, Cougill said he did not want to go through the emotional strain once again and some of his supports helped out immensely in running his campaign.