SAN BENITO - Bill Elliot, the city's Economic Development Corp. president, won the place 3 seat on the city commission in Saturday's run-off election against Jose Luis Morales.

Morales, a city planning and zoning commission member, garnered 342 votes to Elliott's 496. Early voting numbers for the runoff totaled 497.

"I'm very appreciative of the confidence the people of San Benito have placed in me and I'm looking forward to working with the rest of the team on the city commission," Elliott said. "It was a good race and a good campaign."

In the four-person contest for place 3 on May 9, Elliott received 682 votes to Morales' 540, forcing the pair into a runoff.

Elliot said there was no animosity between him and Morales but that the mood between the two was a "congenial" one.

"I won the election but I also found a new friend," he said.

The newly elected commissioner said volunteer and business experience are what gave him the edge at the polls on Saturday.

"And of course I've got a masters degree in public administration," he said. "So I'm assuming the voters have seen that I have this experience and it's time to use the experience and this knowledge on behalf of the city."

When asked about his plans for the future, Elliott said, "My plans right now are to go party with my supporters and then next week get to work."