As most of the metropolitan region swept in new leaders during Tuesday's municipal elections, Bowie enjoyed a quiet celebration that is cementing itself as sort of a biennial tradition.

Local politicos headed to the Bowie Golf and Country Club for food and drinks to celebrate landslide victories for the incumbent mayor and council.

"All in all, I was pretty pleased with the conduct of the elections and the campaigns," said Mayor G. Frederick Robinson. "I think we have a very good council and I'm glad they're coming back."

Robinson "eked" out 80 percent of the vote over challenger Samuel Graham to win a sixth term as mayor. Dennis Brady and Geraldine Valentino-Smith easily held off Anthony Kennedy to win back their at-large seats.

James Marcos (District 1), Todd Turner (District 3) and Isaac C. Trouth (District 4) ran unopposed.

Volunteers and supporters erupted in cheers in the clubhouse as final votes announced that Diane M. Polangin was re-elected in District 2 over Piero V. Mellits in perhaps the closest race of the evening. Polangin took over 60 percent of the votes in that contest.

Mellits, who spent the day greeting voters at City Hall and Christian Community Presbyterian Church, took in the disappointing results over a lasagna dinner with the family at home after the polls closed.

"Nobody's got anything to (complain) about," said Mellits father, Allyn.

While the beer and club sandwiches were being handed out in the clubhouse, several other candidates like Turner and Valentino-Smith enjoyed their victories at the more small-children-friendly T.J. Elliott's restaurant, which is owned by Marcos.

The incumbents hoped that the election and the lack of challengers was a vote of confidence in the current council and the direction the city was headed.

"Hopefully it's a sign about how we're doing," Trouth said. "You know it could be a sign of the economy or could be a sign of apathy."

"People have faith in us, yes," said Marcos, who brought in several boxes of pizza from his restaurant.

Several voters seemed to echo those sentiments.

"The candidates are always the same. I just don't want my taxes raised," said resident Kirie Samuels. "This City Council seemed more concerned about what their citizenry actually feels about developments, schools and where their taxes are going."