Norwich — Republican Mayor Peter Nystrom won re-election Tuesday to his third term as mayor over Democratic Council President Pro Tempore Mark Bettencourt, but whether he will lead a Republican- or Democratic-controlled council remained uncertain late Tuesday.

With most absentee ballots counted, Nystrom led with 2,918 votes to Bettencourt's 2,001, with the six-member council majority hanging on the absentee ballot count.

Both party headquarters were subdued for much of the late evening, as they waited for final results. Bettencourt called Nystrom early with a concession, but was unable to reach his opponent.

"I'm extremely grateful to the voters," Nystrom said.

A popular Republican in a heavily Democratic city, Nystrom said he never takes elections for granted. He said his work to help families get through the pandemic was "very rewarding."

Both candidates are veteran city political leaders, with long records of service on the City Council, along with Nystrom’s 18 years as a state representative and Bettencourt’s track record on several boards and commissions past and present.

Nystrom, 64, a retired UPS driver, was allowed to run for a third term, because the charter limits a mayor to two consecutive terms. Nystrom held the four-year office from 2009 to 2013, and from 2017 to 2021.

"It's disappointing when you lose," Bettencourt said. "I wish it didn't have to happen. Someone has to lose. I'm sorry I couldn't put forward my vision for the city. I wish Mayor Nystrom well."

Bettencourt, 61, a retired state corrections officer and currently security manager for Securitas Security Services, served on the City Council from 2005 to 2009, from 2011 to 2015, took time off to return to college to finish his bachelor’s degree at Charter Oak State College and returned to the council for this term. He now chairs the School Building Committee, working on a plan to overhaul city schools with renovations, consolidation and new construction.

The candidates sparred little during the campaign, with Nystrom pressing the issue of lowering taxes and cutting city spending. His advertisements and debate points repeatedly blamed council Democrats, including Bettencourt, for what he called a 50% jump in the tax rate in 2014. The increase came after a revaluation that reflected the drop in property values citywide, rather than an increase in taxes paid.

Bettencourt countered that Republican spending cuts and elimination of key city staff positions left city streets unkempt, city parks and recreation fields in poor condition. He repeatedly called on voters to support Democrats to make the city a better place “to live, work and play.”

Nystrom and fellow Republicans ran on a message of cutting taxes and spending.

Nystrom has been active and visible throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, embracing mask mandates and pandemic restrictions on in-person city functions. He helped coordinate emergency weekly food distributions, hosted by Connecticut FoodShare and volunteered at the site weekly. At the request of Democratic state Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, Nystrom has held weekly and then biweekly teleconferences with city leaders, legislators and health and social services agencies responding to the pandemic.

c.bessette@theday.com