Political newcomer Sue Hamler Lee will take one of the three Ward 2 seats on the Rome City Commission in January, replacing Commissioner Bill Fricks who did not run for re-election.

Incumbent Commissioners Jamie Doss and Duane Reid also were returned to office by voters in Tuesday’s election.

“I’m a happy camper,” said Lee, the daughter of former city manager Bruce Hamler. “I think people understood that I will listen to them, and that growing up with the city manager will have an impact on how I make decisions for the best of all the city.”

Voters could choose as many as three candidates from a roster of six vying for the three open seats: Reid, Doss, Lee, Jeff Brown, Steven McDowell and Harold Pledger. Turnout was 20.93 percent.

Doss polled the highest, with 1,911 votes, Reid took the second seat with 1,560 votes, and Lee garnered 1,465 votes to fill the last vacancy. McDowell netted 1,079 votes and Pledger pulled in 624.

“I’m humbled and honored beyond belief,” said Doss, who echoed Lee’s praise for all the candidates in the race. “I look forward to serving, to continue reaching for our potential.”

Reid said he was pleased voters had the confidence in him to send him back for another term.

“But I’m even more excited that the SPLOST passed,” he said, referring to the $42.3 million special purpose, local option sales tax package decided countywide.

This will be the first full four-year term for Reid. He is currently completing the unexpired term of Katie Dempsey, who stepped down after the 2005 election in a successful bid for the state House.

Lee was the only candidate, other than the incumbents, who attended the Rome City Commission meetings after qualifying to run. She said sitting in on the meetings — especially the caucus discussions — has given her “a little heads up” on the issues facing the city.

She also toured the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority properties and spent time with Executive Director Sandra Hudson learning about the planned South Rome and East Rome redevelopment plans in the works.