First-time political candidate Jason Lemak came out on top in the Republican primary for Murrysville council when the results were finally announced early Wednesday morning, taking just over 20% of votes cast.

Lemak will be joined on the general election ballot by fellow newcomer Jamie Lingg (19.25%) and incumbents Dayne Dice (17.15%) and Carl Stepanovich (18.19%), according to unofficial results.

With no Democrats filing for the primary, Lemak, Lingg, Dice and Stepanovich are virtually guaranteed a council seat following the general election.

“I’m very honored, and surprised,” Lemak said Wednesday morning. “I’d like to thank the people of Murrysville for standing behind me. It’s been a new experience and I look forward to a new endeavor and making the community proud.”

Lemak said he wants to balance “giving the community what they need in terms of services, but also being fiscally responsible in working with the administration to achieve that goal.”

Lingg also was pleasantly surprised by the primary results.

“We probably knocked on 700 doors, and it was a really great experience, talking to people in our community and listening to their concerns,” she said.

Both Lingg and Lemak campaigned with the goal of avoiding a tax increase, if possible. Lingg acknowledged that, while that is her goal, there is a sizable learning curve that comes with a council seat.

“I’d certainly like to see tax hikes as a last resort,” she said. “But, until you’re on there and you see everything, you can’t make promises. But I think there are creative ways to avoid tax increases. Wants go to the back, and needs come to the front. But I know there are a lot of intricacies and I’m prepared to do the research and learn.”

The voter breakdown for the council primary was:

• Joseph Conklin, 1,018 (10.28%)

• Dayne Dice, 1,698 (17.15%)

• Brad Funari, 1,440 (14.55%)

• Jason Lemak, 2,010 (20.31%)

• Jamie Lingg, 1,906 (19.25%)

• Carl Stepanovich, 1,801 (18.19%)

There were 26 write-in votes yet to be tallied.