VIDALIA — Vidalians resoundingly re-elected Mayor Hyram Copeland Saturday with more than 60 percent of the vote.

Copeland took 1,088 votes — approximately 61.61 percent — compared challenger William “Bill” Murray’s 678 votes, approximately 38.39 percent of the total.

Elected in 1992, this was the first election Copeland has been challenged in — and it was a challenge, he said.

“I feel it was a hard fought campaign,” Copeland said. “I would say it was the best, cleanest campaign there could be between two opponents.”

Copeland said he was grateful for the support the city has shown him.

“I want to thank the people of Vidalia for having the confidence to elect me to another term,” he said.

“I am looking forward to working with the board of alderman to continue to improve the quality of life here in Vidalia,” Copeland said.

Copeland thanked Murray for running a positive campaign.

“He didn’t do any negative campaigning,” Copeland said.

Murray said he was happy for the support he received, and he had run at the request of many people.

“I just really feel bad for the folks who got out and worked so hard for me,” he said. “I was surprised at how one-sided the election was.”

After the results were announced, Copeland called Murray and they had a nice conversation, Murray said.

“(Copeland) said he would like to work with me, to involve me in the future,” Murray said.

Murray said it was too early to say whether or not he would run for office again.

A total of 1,766 votes were cast in the Vidalia mayoral election.