Preston — First Selectman Robert Congdon won a ninth consecutive term Tuesday, defeating Selectman Timothy Bowles by a 17-vote margin that's expected to trigger an automatic recount.

Congdon, a Republican, garnered 610 votes to Democrat Bowles' 593 votes. Congdon defeated Bowles by 67 votes in the 2009 first selectman's race.

Congdon's running mate, Selectman Michael Sinko, won re-election with 622 votes, defeating Democrat Walter Kornosewicz, who got 556 votes.

Bowles would retain a seat on the three-man Board of Selectmen.

"It's going to be a tough two years, with the economy and shrinking revenue from the state," Congdon said after vote totals were announced inside the Town Hall polling place. "But I look forwarding to working with everyone."