Democratic victors in the Borough Council race said Wednesday that they were impressed by the campaign of the Republican candidate Evan Baehr '05.
Koontz won the race with 2,613 votes, followed by Martindell with 2,512 and Baehr trailed behind with 1,514 votes.
"I didn't know what to expect," Koontz said. "[I thought] that Baehr would receive the same proportion of votes [as resident] Republicans in Borough."
Both Democrats were impressed with Baehr's vote tally and overall campaign.
"It's to Evan's credit that he put himself up for nomination," Martindell said. "He is a model for other undergraduates to do more."
Koontz agreed. "He ran a very well financed and coordinated campaign," he said. "It was an effective campaign because of his message to the students [that] raised unfounded concerns that the police would break into the eating clubs."
During his campaign, Baehr focused on the Borough's proposed alcohol ordinance — which would give police the authority to enter eating clubs with probable cause and cite underage drinkers — and pledged to "keep police out of the eating clubs."
But Koontz and Martindell said the ordinance is not going to be a top priority for the council.
"[The ordinance] is not going anywhere quickly," said Martindell.
The council tabled the ordinance was tabled indefinitely in April 2003.
Koontz and Martindell plan to address several issues concerning undergraduates.
The council will continue to work with the University on issues concerning alcohol abuse, contributions to the municipality and housing.
Baehr was the first undergraduate to campaign for the Borough Council since Steven Abt '04 in 2001.
Abt received 250 votes, more than 1,100 votes shy of winning a seat.
The appointments of Koontz and Matindell secured the Democratic hold on the council, where members serve for three year terms.
In addition, there are two seats are up for election every year.
Once elected to the Borough Council, members have several responsibilities, including passing ordinances and adopting a budget.
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