CEDAR LAKE | In an election that many called pivotal, Democrats took back the majority on the Cedar Lake Town Council on Tuesday, and those elected say they are focused on the future.

Democrat John Foreman captured the 2nd Ward seat over Republican Stacy Brooks. The two political newcomers vied for the seat vacated by Councilman Charles Kaper, who chose to not run again.

"I think this election will tell the story for the next 15 to 25 years," Foreman said, thanking his supporters and wife, Audra. "I believe we have a fine team. The political season is over. We now have to govern."

Brooks ran a hard-fought campaign, Republican volunteers said Tuesday. Brooks supporters said Foreman's name recognition as a native son was tough to conquer.

Democrat Jerry Smith -- a Cedar Lake police officer for 13 years, the last eight as the DARE officer -- unseated veteran Councilman Jerry Reiling, a Republican, to take the 4th Ward seat.

"The decisions we make today are for the kids in our schools now," Smith said, adding that the win left him with mixed feelings. "I'm ecstatic that I won, but I hate it that I went up against Jerry Reiling. He's done a lot of good. He's a friend."

In the 7th Ward -- in which Republican Dominick Kortokrax chose not to run again -- Republican Greg Parker appeared to narrowly beat retired Cedar Lake Police Chief Charles Kouder Sr.

"Well, I'm disappointed that we (the Republicans) lost the majority, but I'm looking forward to the challenge," Parker said. "I think we're going to have to work together to move forward."

Republican incumbent Councilman William Landske kept his 6th Ward seat by a narrow margin over Democratic opponent John Marlow.

Republican council President Robert Carnahan, R-1st, and members Dennis Wilkening, D-5th, and Pat Wisniewski, D-3rd, were not up for election this year.

There are about 4,000 registered voters in Cedar Lake, and about 1,100 of them voted Tuesday, unofficial municipal numbers showed.