The votes are in and the unofficial results show that Bowie constituents are very satisfied with the current body governing their city.

Mayor G. Frederick Robinson was overwhelmingly voted back in, with 4,779 votes (nearly 88 percent) against challenger Samuel Graham, who received 670 votes (just over 12 percent).

At-large council members, of which voters were to choose two, went again with Geraldine Valentino-Smith, with 4,511 votes (47.5 percent) and Dennis Brady, 3,972 (nearly 42 percent). Challenger Anthony Kennedy received 1,006 votes, for just over 10 percent of the vote.

And Diane Polangin again won the District 2 race, against challenger Piero "Pete" Mellits, with 1,272 votes (62 percent) to 777 votes for Mellits (nearly 38 percent).

District 1, 3 and 4 seats ran unopposed, and James Marcos, Todd Turner and Isaac Trouth returned to their seats.

Turnout in this election was 15.32 percent, lower than the 2007 election, when 21.68 percent of the voters cast a vote.

The "new" council will be sworn in Monday, Nov. 16.

(Results are not official until certified by the City of Bowie Board of Elections.)

"Re-election, for me, feels like a sweeter win than the first time, because it said to me that the voters were saying, 'the first time, we're going to take a chance on you, and now the second time, well we took a chance, and we're happy and we'll bring you back.' That's a great feeling. And I look forward to working with this council again, too. It really is a good team," Polangin said.

Brady, voted in for his eighth term, said it's truly humbling.

"The reason I do this is because I was raised by parents who believed in always giving back to their community," he said. "And that's one thing to actually do that, but it's another to have the voters, on a biennial basis, kind of ratify what it's all about."

His at-large colleague, Valentino-Smith, said "I'm overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the votes, and to continue to work for this city. It's truly a privilege."

And Robinson, now in his sixth term, said "he couldn't be more pleased to be elected to serve as mayor of this great city and its amazing people. Thank you."