Ann Purcell greeted a room of jubilant supporters at the Mulberry Inn and thanked them for their support Tuesday night.

Purcell, the former state representative, was returned to office in a special election to fill the House District 159 seat opened when Buddy Carter resigned to run for the District 1 Senate post.

With 84 percent of the precincts reporting, Purcell had a 4,462 to 1,172 lead over fellow Republican Jesse Tyler.

“I just want to say ‘thank you’ to all the voters who turned out in support of my re-election to the House,” Purcell said. “I’m excited about serving the community again. I’m delighted.”

District 159 covers south Effingham and west Chatham.

Rincon voters gave Mayor Ken Lee a second term with a resounding victory over former mayor and city councilman George Saraf. Incumbent council members Scott Morgan and Levi Scott also retained their seats, and Frank Owens was placed back on council. Owens will fill the seat relinquished by Ken Baxley, who chose not to run again.

Jeff Northway won handily over Wanda Laning in the race to replace outgoing Springfield Mayor Barton Alderman. Incumbent council members Jeff Ambrose, Charles Hinely and Kenny Usher also kept their council seats.