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Marana Town Council candidate Russell Clanagan's hopes of being directly elected in last week's primary were stalled by two votes.

If Clanagan, who heads the town's planning commission, had gotten two more votes on top of the 934 he received, he would've been automatically elected to the council, according to state law.

Instead, Clanagan will probably have to face candidate Roxanne Ziegler and incumbents Bob Allen and Jim Blake in a May runoff for two open council seats.

That could change, however, as the Town Council on Tuesday asked a court to determine whether a recount is necessary.

Randal Berry and Bret Summers were eliminated in last week's primary. Curtis Walker dropped out of the race last month.

On election night, it appeared Clanagan had locked up a seat, but more than 200 mail-in and provisional ballots had to be counted, said Jocelyn Bronson, town clerk.

According to state law, a Town Council candidate can be elected in the primary if the person receives more than half of the total votes cast.

The law worked in Mayor Ed Honea's favor last week, when he beat rival David Morales by carrying 1,219 of 1,871 possible votes.

Honea will retain the seat he was appointed to in 2005 after then-Mayor Bobby Sutton Jr. resigned amid federal charges of attempted extortion and conspiracy.

In the Town Council race, Allen, who was appointed in 2005 to fill Honea's vacant seat, said he and fellow incumbent Blake were the victims of inaccuracies and unfounded accusations.

Throughout the election, candidates have accused council members of doing town business in private in violation of state law, all without a shred of proof, Allen said.

Honea, Allen and other members of the council have maintained that they've broken no laws. Members meet with developers and other groups to discuss projects and work out problems before they make it to the dais, they've said.

Clanagan and Ziegler have also been critical of the council for failing to move on the proposed Twin Peaks interchange, which would cross Interstate 10 between Cortaro and Avra Valley roads.

Allen said Ziegler, who served on the council from 1997 to 2001, and Clanagan have both had a chance to get work done on the interchange.

"Accusations are flying about inactions of the current council," Allen said. "Where was their action?"

Clanagan said he got the most votes in the primary because residents are ready for a change.

"I'm very proud of the trust they've shown in me," he said. "I hope to continue to work and gain their trust."

Ziegler said last week that the current council lacks the necessary vision residents need. "They're just not smart enough," she said.

The comment drew harsh criticism from Allen. "That was pretty crass," he said. "How dare she."