LONGPORT— The voters finally had their say, determining who would guide this small town for the next four years.

The We Love Longport team of Nick Russo, Jim Leeds Sr. and Dan Lawler proved to be the top vote getters, winning with a large majority, enough that even with the 40 absentee ballots left to be tallied by the Atlantic County Board of Elections, there could be no change in the outcome.

"I am really happy tonight and I am ready and looking forward to moving ahead," said Russo.

"We will all talk about this later," said Leeds as he prepared to leave commission chambers at Longport Borough Hall.

While there were initially some long faces among candidates who lost, that quickly turned to congratulations and wishes of good luck as all of the candidates shook hands and graciously accepted the outcome the voters had chosen.

The numbers as read by Borough Clerk Tom Hiltner are:

Jim Callista, 61; Joseph Viola, 57; Nick Russo, 250; James Leeds Sr., 260; Dan Lawler, 245; John Stroebele, 124; and John Musero, 141.

There were three write-in votes and 40 absentee ballots.