Voters in the Halifax Regional Municipality have stuck with a familiar face for mayor.

Peter Kelly claimed a third term Saturday by defeating his main challenger, Sheila Fougere, the longtime councillor for the Halifax district of Connaught-Quinpool.

With 565 of 570 polls reporting, Kelly had 56,800 votes, nearly 16,000 more than Fougere, or about 56 per cent of the popular vote.

David Boyd, the third candidate, was far back with only 2,351 votes.

Most of the councillors are returning for another term. Two incumbents, Krista Snow and Patrick Murphy, were defeated. Three districts had no incumbent.

Re-elected:

District 1 - Steve Streatch.

District 3 - David Hendsbee.

District 5 - Gloria McCluskey (acclaimed).

District 6 - Andrew Younger (acclaimed).

District 7 - Bill Karsten (acclaimed).

District 8 - Jackie Barkhouse.

District 9 - Jim Smith.

District 10 - Mary Wile.

District 13 - Sue Uteck.

District 15 - Russell Walker (acclaimed).

District 16 - Debbie Hum.

District 17 - Linda Mosher.

District 18 - Steve Adams.

District 19 - Brad Johns.

District 20 - Bob Harvey.

District 21 - Tim Outhit.

District 22 - Reg Rankin.

New councillors:

District 2 - Barry Dalrymple.

District 4 - Lorelei Nicoll.

District 11 - Jerry Blumenthal.

District 14 - Jennifer Watts.

District 23 - Peter Lund.

Dawn Sloane was leading in District 12 by about 100 votes as of 11:30 p.m. AT, with one poll left to go.

"We worked hard over the last few years," Kelly told CBC News. "We've achieved a lot. We've still some things to do, and I think people have confidence that they want that work to continue."

He said he wants to continue with the Halifax harbour cleanup, implement the municipality's transit plan and be inclusive of all areas of the HRM.

He promises to spend less time on issues like cat bylaws.

Fougere campaigned on a platform to bring dynamic, decisive leadership to City Hall. When asked how she differentiates herself from Kelly, she said she's interested in "thriving," not "surviving."

Fougere said the fact she took about 40 per cent of the vote speaks volumes.

"He needs to listen to the entire body of people, make up his mind, and clearly move forward on issues — not stall and study and debate and consult until nothing happens," she said.

By running for mayor, Fougere gave up what was widely considered a safe seat on council. She now plans to take a break and find another opportunity.

"I took a risk," she acknowledged.

"You have an opportunity to do something or do nothing; and I chose to do something," she said. "I don't regret it for a moment."

Boyd, a taxi and tow-truck driver, said he was glad he ran, too. He campaigned on a platform to make Halifax a kind of Vegas of the east, with casinos and other amusements.

Kelly was elected to Bedford town council in 1985, then became mayor in 1991. In 1995, in the newly amalgamated HRM, he was elected councillor for Bedford.

Voters chose him as mayor of the HRM in 2000, and again in 2004.

Municipal and school board elections were held around Nova Scotia on Saturday.