STRUTHERS — The three Struthers at-Large council incumbents have secured their seats after being challenged by a former firefighter.

According to unofficial results in Tuesday night’s primary election, James Baluck, Dallas Bigley and Megan Pingley were favored by voters over challenger Tom Lallo.

They are unopposed in the fall.

Baluck after 9:10 p.m. had received 325 votes, with Bigley receiving 474, and Pingley with 398. Lallo had 236 votes.

All four are Democrats.

Although it was his first time running, Lallo expressed gratitude for support.

“I want to thank everybody. I tried and it wasn’t my time,” he said.

His focus would have included building a new fire station and working on revitalization in conjunction with the dam extraction on the Mahoning River.

The three incumbents have focused on fighting blight and said they’ll continue to do so.

Bigley, 35, sought his third term as councilman at-Large.

Bigley thanked voters for entrusting him with decision-making and leadership that comes with being an at-Large councilman. “I hope it continues and I hope to serve the city for a long time,” he said.

The business owner is on the dam removal committee, which he said will help build the downtown area.

He also is involved in the landlord registration and property codes.

Baluck, 61, is heading to a second term.

He expressed appreciation for support. “I’m looking forward to another two years and hopefully there are good things to come,” he said.

Also with her sights on a second term is 32-year-old Megan Pingley. She was unavailable for comment Tuesday night.

The pharmacy technician will continue to work with city administration to develop the city’s first comprehensive plan, branching out to envelop the entire city beyond downtown.

Voters also approved the 6.9-mill Struthers schools levy renewal for current expenses.

afox@vindy.com