MORRISVILLE - While the future of the District 1 seat remains uncertain, the winners of two of the three other seats will change the ethnic and political makeup of the council.

Business development manager Steve Rao will become the first person of Asian-Indian descent to serve on the council. He is filling the at-large unexpired term of Tom Murry, who left the council in January.

Mark Stohlman, who edged out incumbent Pete Martin to assume a four-year at-large seat, could be the lone Republican on the council.

That could change if Michael Schlink is the winner of the District 1 race after the official results are released Tuesday. Schlink, a Republican, edged Linda Lyons, a Democrat, by three votes, according to unofficial results.

If those results stand, it could also be the first time in more than 20 years there will be no black person on the town's governing board.

Familiar faces

Neither Rao nor Stohlman is new to Morrisville voters. Stohlman served on the town council from 2007 to 2009, and last year, Rao unsuccessfully ran for the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

Rao said he thinks the name recognition, his message and a great campaign team helped him finish ahead of T.J. Cawley and Tara Mylenski.

"At the end of the day, voters are looking for people with the business background," Rao said. "During my campaign, one of the things I focused on was entrepreneurial development similar to what is going on in Durham. I want to be an ambassador to small business."

Second time around

Stohlman will rejoin the council after a two-year absence. He won against 12-year incumbent Martin and challenger Gerard Falzon.

"I'm shocked," said Martin about the loss. "I think there may have been some confusion with two Martins running for office."

Gary Martin ran unsuccessfully against Liz Johnson for the District 3 seat.

Regardless of the outcome, Pete Martin said, he plans to continue public service.

Stohlman recognized Pete Martin's service and said his background as a certified public accountant may have given him an edge.

"I think people connected with my message: Let's get our fiscal house in order," Stohlman said.

In flux

For now, Schlink is the winner of the District 1 race, but he is holding off on celebrations until the official results are released Tuesday.

"As the old adage goes: Every vote counts," he said. "I feel thankful and appreciate the Morrisville supporters who voted for me. I'm ready to dig in and roll up my sleeves."