Old Lyme - Democrat Bonnie A. Reemsnyder wore an apprehensive look Tuesday night as she filed into the Cross Lane Fire House to hear the results of the election.

Three times she had challenged Republican First Selectman Timothy C. Griswold, and in each race the long-serving incumbent beat her. Reemsnyder didn't try to face Griswold in 2009, focusing instead on getting re-elected as a selectman.

But this year her persistence paid off. Reemsnyder won the first selectman race with 1,412 votes to Griswold's 1,178, according to the announced results.

The second highest vote-getter in the overall race was Democratic newcomer Mary Jo Nosal with 1,336 votes, followed by Republican incumbent Arthur E. "Skip" Sibley Jr., with 1,224 votes. Griswold finished fourth in the race and will no longer be a member of the three-person board.

In the race for Regional District 18 Board of Education, incumbent Democrat Paul Fuchs won a full term in the seat that once belonged to Republican Alice Burbank, receiving 1,465 votes.

He will be joined on the board by Democrat Michelle "Mimi" G. Roche, who received 1,456 votes, and by Republican Judith A. Read, who finished third with 1,318 votes.

Fourth-place finisher David H. W. Griswold, a Republican, had 1,164 votes and Republican Albert Bretton Enman received 1,163 votes for fifth place.

The board's current chairman, James P. Witkins, a Lyme Republican, ran unopposed for the one Lyme seat up for election this year and garnered 273 votes.

Current board members Christopher Carter and Susan Fogliano, whose terms were up, did not run.

The 2,575 total votes cast represented about 43 percent of registered voters.

Griswold, who has served seven terms and 14 years in Old Lyme's top elected seat, silently tallied a ballot score card as the results were announced. He later congratulated Reemsnyder on her surprise victory and the two shared a hug.

"The results were decisive," Griswold said. "I will do my best to give Bonnie a transition between now and when she takes office."

Asked his thoughts on the results, Griswold said, "We all worked hard in our respective camps and they were able to get out the vote."

Reemsnyder said her campaign team devoted considerable time this year to door-knocking, email and phone efforts.

"I really want to thank Tim for his 14 years of service to the town," she said. "It's how politics is - you run against each other."

j.reindl@theday.com