After a four-year hiatus, former 3rd Ward Albert Lea City Councilor George Marin will return to the council in January.

Marin on Tuesday defeated incumbent 3rd Ward Councilor Ellen Kehr with 885 votes — or 56 percent. Kehr received 686 votes — or 44 percent.

“I’m always humbled when I win a campaign because there’s a lot of trust people put in you,” Marin said. “By God’s grace, I’m going to do my best to serve the residents of the 3rd Ward and all of Albert Lea.”

Marin, the pastor of Grace Christian Church, previously served on the council from 2000 to 2008.

He said he was confident going into Election Day because he had gone to every door in the ward during his campaign.

“That really makes a difference when you can ask residents questions, and ask them for their vote,” he said.

Marin initially said he ran for office to give residents the opportunity for a choice in the seat. Up until the last day of the filing period, Kehr had been the only one to file.

He has since promoted

public safety within the city as his No. 1 goal and has also pressed for progress on the Sunset Street extension to give people near the City Arena a second road out in case of an emergency. Presently, train tracks cross Lake Chapeau Drive, which could prevent firetrucks from entering the neighborhood.

Kehr, who works as the organization lead for the Mason City Blue Zones Project, was elected in 2008 after Marin decided not to seek re-election. At that time, she defeated Ryan Sabinish.

“It’s always been an honor for me to serve the residents of the 3rd Ward,” Kehr said. “I will continue to work hard for my community.”

Marin thanked Kehr for her years of service on the council.