 Less than 200 people cast their vote in Bemidji City Council Ward 4 special election that equals 14% voter turnout. It was a tight race between former Bemidji Mayor Richard Lehmann and Patrick Plemmel. Only three votes separated the two, with Lehmann leading 39 to 36. Both candidates believe the cold weather played a part in the low voter turnout, but are hopeful their agenda was clear to the people. So listening to their message and hopefully carrying that message to the council and sharing it so that we can make decisions based on what the constituents want. I think we have a city council that's made up of a diverse group that's very focused on those issues and I think we need some new blood in the city council. Lehmann and Plemmel say from now until May 2nd, they will continue to campaign to garner up more votes in the runoff election.