KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Eric Beiter, a Republican incumbent on Williamsport City Council, draws the lower number to win the election that was a tie with Democrat April Line, Friday in Williamsport. In the event of a tie the winner of the seat was to be determined with a drawing as dictated by state law.

Republican Williamsport City Councilman Eric Beiter will retain his elected council seat after drawing a lower ticket number than Democrat April Line Friday afternoon inside the Lycoming County Commissioners meeting room.

Line went first and pulled number 127 from a canister set up on the table with county Election and Voter Services personnel observing. Beiter then drew out a ticket with 114 on it.

Forrest Lehman, county director of elections, explained the lower number would be the winner.

“This was not at all how I expected,” Beiter said afterward of the tie in the Nov. 4 general election for the open council seat. He reiterated how every vote counts and offered his appreciation for those who supported him in the campaign and election.

Beiter lost a mayoral race in 2019 to current Mayor Derek Slaughter.

Line said she felt nothing but gratitude and said she was lucky so many people who care supported her run and voted for her.