In a 927-to-615 victory, Tom Wacha was elected to the Ames City Council representing Ward 1 Tuesday night.

Wacha, a 1999 Iowa State University graduate, returned to Ames in 2004 with his wife, Teresa, after five years of service as a U.S. Navy line officer.

He and Teresa have lived in Ames since then with their children, Camden and Parker, Tom residing in Ames for a total of 10 years.

“It was a much wider margin than I expected,” Wacha said. “I want to congratulate Dan Rice on … a very professional, well-done campaign.”

Wacha’s campaign focused on three main points: “to address the need to remove the perception that Ames is discouraging to new business, to address the increasing crime rate and to make government more efficient by working to eliminate tie votes and increasing communication and transparency.”

He plans to start working on his platform immediately.

“I bring a lot of energy to the table,” Wacha said. “I’m young and have a lot of energy and a lot of passion … I’ve traveled the world … I’ve had the opportunity to see … how other communities are structured. I’m very glad I’m back in Ames and hope to apply a lot of what I’ve learned … to making Ames a better place.”

Wacha said his “ability to see all sides of an issue and make the decision that’s best for the community as a whole” is the most valuable trait he will bring to the council.

However, Wacha added, “I obviously have a lot to learn.”

Reflecting on the campaign, Wacha said he was happy with all the hard work put forth by his campaign staff and his supporters.

Win or lose, Wacha said, he believes both he and Rice conducted fair campaigns.

“We’ve proven that politics don’t have to be divisive,” Wacha said.

Rice, a 1988 ISU graduate, has been a College of Liberal Arts of Sciences academic adviser since 1997.

The incumbent, who sought re-election for a second term representing Ward 1, Rice’s term with the Ames City Council began Jan. 3, 2006.

His time as a City Council member is punctuated by the “EcoSmart program” and green initiatives the council has implemented.

“For four years, I’ve worked for the entire city of Ames to work for what’s best for the city of Ames,” Rice said.

Rice said he was “very proud” of the current council’s sustainability efforts.

Specific programs implemented during Rice’s time on the council include providing rain barrels to the community, along with rebates on energy-efficient appliances.

“Every dollar we put in … we’re getting back multiples of that,” Rice said.

The recent purchase of 25 percent of the Garden Wind Farm north of Nevada was lauded by Rice as a positive way to supplement the Ames’ Resource Recovery Plant.

Rice explained that while other places are “at the mercy of the market,” this is not necessarily true of Ames.

In addition to green issues, Rice’s campaign platform focused on the need to sustain the Ames community while continuing growth.

Rice ran with the intent to “not just turn [Ames] over to businesses that want to exploit [it]” rather than act in the best interest of the community.

Rice said he was “very concerned” with the amount of money raised by other candidates in the campaign.

Following the election, Rice voiced concern that “if you do what’s right, the money will come out against you.”

“Those who put it there tend to want things later,” Rice said, adding that some campaign contributions will make him “concerned not just as a candidate, but as a citizen of Ames” as to “who actually runs the city.”

After election results were determined, Rice expressed concern that “the short-term interests came out in force.”

“Government is not and should not be an arm of business,” Rice said, adding after the election that “Ames is not a business.”

Rice said following the election, “The new City Council member will have to pay very close attention to the all the citizens of Ames, not just those who got them elected.”

Wacha, at a joint election party held with City Council at-large winner Peter Orazem, stood beaming in the Alumni Center following the results.

“I’m very humbled by the show of support,” Wacha said.