The Nov. 3 municipal elections went smoothly for some candidates and likely surprised others.

In McDonough, longtime Mayor Billy Copeland won by 54.8 percent, defeating challengers Roger Pruitt and Susan Raven. Copeland said he wasn’t necessarily surprised by the outcome but he didn’t go into the election sure he would win, given his tenure.

“You can’t take anything for granted. I learned a long time ago, don’t assume anything in life, and certainly in political life. I felt reasonably comfortable, but never was overconfident. Never, never.”

Copeland said people he met during past campaigns who wouldn’t support him offered their votes in this election.

He said there are several areas the council will be focused on the next four years, including establishing quarterly town hall meetings, expanding the city’s wireless Internet, transportation concerns and addressing the needs of downtown McDonough.

At-Large Council Member Gina Riffey lost her seat to third-time candidate Rufus Amis, who won by 38 percent.

Mayor R.G. Kelley, who has led the city of Stockbridge for 31 years, was ousted by political newcomer Lee Stuart, who led Kelley with 57 percent of the vote.

Repeated attempts to reach Kelley by press time via phone and e-mail were unsuccessful.

Harold Cochran, who has served on Stockbridge City Council for 32 years, kept his seat while incumbent Vernon Moss lost to Mark Alarcon. Moss replaced the late W.A. Gardner earlier this year. Alarcon won by 23 percent; Cochran won by 21 percent.

Three seats were up for grabs in Locust Grove, where incumbents Viann Doerr and Wilson Henley lost their seats to Keith Boone and James Sam Rosser, who both tied at 19 percent of the vote. Incumbent Robert Price held on with the most votes at 25 percent.

In Hampton, incumbents Charlie Hearn, Marty Meeks and Mary Mitcham all kept their seats.