He was on the hot seat, but incumbent Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee will hold on to his job -- barley.

Lee beat former Cobb chairman Bill Byrne by 1,295 votes. He does not face a challenger in November.

"Our work is just now beginning," Lee said, addressing supporters at the Embassy Suites hotel in Kennesaw. "We have a lot to do in terms of transportation, addressing regional issues and budget problems ... to make sure Cobb is competitive and continues to grow."

Lee has been chairman for the last two years. He support for the failed transportation referendum contributed to the need for a runoff.

Byrne has been Cobb County’s chairman from 1992-2002. He went after Lee’s supposed tax-and-spend persona.

"I gave the citizens of Cobb a choice, and if they voted for Tim, then the direction of Cobb County for the next four years is their responsibility," Byrne said from his Election Night headquarters at the Marietta Hilton conference center.

Lee was able to counter Byrne’s attacks with the help of county business. He went after Byrne’s past leadership, including the support of a failed composting plan that cost taxpayers more than $60 million.

Cobb will also welcome a new southwest commissioner. Community activist and political newcomer Lisa Cupid appeared to have handily beaten incumbent Commissioner Woody Thompson in the Democratic. There is no Republican opponent.