Though he readily admitted that he didn’t put too much time into campaigning this summer, incumbent Mayor Tom Stiehm easily won Tuesday’s primary.

The retired police detective seeking a third term notched 1,434 votes — nearly three times as many as the nearest challenger, Third Ward councilwoman Marian Clennon.

Eliminated were political newcomers Gordon Anderson and Zeke Dahl.

Stiehm said with the primary behind him, he will begin focusing more heavily on campaigning. He said this will include plenty of door knocking and sign posting between now and Nov. 2, which is the date of the general election.

And the mayor knows this work will be important — despite advancing relatively easily out of a primary in 2008, Stiehm barely squeaked by challenger Mark Nagle in a general election that eventually required a recount.

This time, he will be up against someone he works with on a regular basis, but Stiehm sounded confident about his chances after Tuesday’s results.

“It makes me feel good,” he said of the vote. “It’s kind of a validation of the way things have been going.”

Despite finishing nearly 900 votes behind Stiehm, councilwoman Clennon said she too was confident going into November.

“I’m really excited,” she said. “I’m excited to move on with this.”

Clennon said she thinks the general election will be completely different from the primary because so many more voters will turn out. To that end, Clennon said she will hit the campaign trail hard in coming weeks and months to gain their support.

“Every spare minute I have,” Clennon said, “you’ll probably see me knocking on doors.”

Mayoral election results

Tom Stiehm: 1,434 votes

Marian Clennon: 490

Gordon Anderson: 275

Zeke Dahl: 103