Uncertified results from the Essex County Board of Elections show Sauer, a freshman political candidate who was running for an unexpired term on the council, received 436 votes between the Democratic and independent Vision for Jay party lines. Council incumbent McDonald, who garnered 351 votes, was elected to one of two seats on the council carrying a full term.

“It appears that (I’ve won), but I’ll tell you in a few years if I won or not,” McDonald said late Tuesday night.

“My plan is to keep doing what I have done for the past 10 years.”

McDonald said he hopes to make improvements to business but believes business is a free enterprise and should be free from government.

Knut Sauer speaks in October 2019 at the Jay Community Center as a candidate for Jay Town Council. (Enterprise photo — Elizabeth Izzo)

“Unfortunately, I don’t know if I’ve got the golden answer to problems, but I’m sitting here with some friends and we’re discussing that very issue right now,” he said.

Coolidge, who ran on the independent Vision for Jay Community First line for a council seat carrying a full term, received 297 votes.

John Sheldrake garnered a total of 267 votes from the Republican and independent Time 4 Change Honesty Justice lines. He could still catch Coolidge, however, since the Essex County Board of Elections sent out absentee ballots to 50 voters in the town of Jay.

Sauer will fill the unexpired term of Bob Segall, who forfeited his seat in February, citing health problems and opposition from his colleagues on the board.

Democrat Wayne Frederick fell short with 246 votes.

Jay Town Council candidate Adam Coolidge speaks at a candidate forum in the Jay Community Center Monday evening. (Enterprise photo — Elizabeth Izzo)

Jay Town Council candidate John Sheldrake laughs at a candidates forum hosted by Adirondack Indivisible Monday evening. (Enterprise photo — Elizabeth Izzo)