OTTUMWA — Incumbent Dale Uehling came out on top in the tight race for Ottumwa’s mayor Tuesday.

Uehling will serve his eighth term as Ottumwa’s mayor. He beat Frank Flanders by 380 votes, according to unofficial election results.

“I’m really pleased and excited about it and want to have Ottumwa move ahead in the next two years,” Uehling said.

“I’m pleased we were able to come out with win. I want to thank all the voters and all the people who helped. I felt fairly confident, but until you get in the lead you always are nervous.”

In his next term, Uehling said he will continue to work on the Video Game Hall of Fame, Ottumwa street repairs and sewer projects.

“Of course the big challenge is going to be the budget,” he said. “But I certainly think we have a lot of positive things going on.”

Uehling said he will continue working with the Ottumwa Economic Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce to expand jobs and industry in Ottumwa. To accomplish these things for Ottumwa, Uehling said, the community needs to work together.

“I will work with all the people, and I have always been open and listen to people and hear both sides,” he said.

Out of the 16,160 registered voters in Ottumwa, 5,176 voted, according to the unofficial count Tuesday night — about 32 percent.

“I just want to thank all the good people who worked so hard to get me to this point,” Flanders said. “I take responsibility for the fact that we fell short tonight.

“I think my message was misunderstood in a lot of ways and I could have expressed it better.”

Flanders said he may consider running again for public office, but he isn’t sure for what office.