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GREENSBORO — Incumbents ruled in unofficial results from Greensboro’s City Council primary election for Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The closest race Tuesday occurred in the fight for the second spot on the Nov. 3 ballot from the crowded field for District 1.

Luther Falls Jr. barely edged Daron Sellars to challenge T. Dianne Bellamy-Small , the incumbent who led the District 1 primary with 597 votes .

When Falls learned of his three-vote margin to beat Sellars, 232-229, Falls clasped his hands and raised them above his head at the board of elections office.

“I’ll just have to work harder,” Falls said. “A lot of people have confidence in me.”

Sellars would not say whether he plans to seek a recount.

Falls may have a tough campaign for the district. Bellamy-Small is battle-tested as a three-term incumbent. She survived a recall vote in 2007 and plans to spend the next month hitting the streets with a message of economic parity.

“I’ve got to find out what they want,” Bellamy-Small said.

She said she’s interested in something such as a large retail center for east Greensboro.

In District 3, George Hartzman will take on the city’s most well-funded campaigner, incumbent Zack Matheny .

Hartzman, who received 1,127 votes, issued a challenge just after the results were announced.

“I’m talking about a debate, an actual debate,” Hartzman said. He plans to campaign for the November election with an effort to pass ethics rules for Greensboro elections.

“It’s easy to do. It’s just a question of getting it done,” he said.

Matheny, who had 1,893 votes , said he’s going to see where Hartzman led in precincts and go door-to-door campaigning.

“I’ve just got to get out and correct some of the things that are out there,” he said.

The District 4 race also promises to be competitive with at-large council member Mary Rakestraw facing grocery manager Joel Landau for the seat being vacated by Mike Barber .

“People are tired of the politics of discord and negativity,” Landau said. He said his ability to work with other people would set him apart from his opponent.

After a breather, Rakestraw will restart her campaign this week.

“All my workers have tomorrow off” and will be back to work Thursday , she said.

Jim Kee and Nettie Coad battle for the District 2 seat that Goldie Wells will leave at the end of the year.

Kee is a businessman, and Coad is best known for her work in the community.

Although Kee led the primary election with more than 576 votes from the district, Coad, who took 332 votes , appears ready to ramp up her campaign.

Her years of experience and knowledge of the city set Coad apart from her opponent, she said.

Kee’s top issue, he said, is economic development, and he will stress his desire to have open-minded communication with residents.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com

Contact Gerald Witt at 373-7008 or gerald.witt@news-record.com