Livermore Mayoral Race: Marchand Defeats Hickman by 302 Votes

beat out by 302 votes to become Livermore's next mayor, according to results reported by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. All 16 precincts have reported results, with turnout countywide holding at 27 percent.

Marchand, who currently serves as vice mayor on the city council, has 48 percent of the votes cast. He is trailed by Hickman, who has 46 percent of the votes and , who has 6 percent of the votes.

Mayor will term out this year. He is seeking one of two open seats on the city council. For more on that race click here.

Marchand's term doesn't expire until 2013. He was first elected to city council in 2005 after serving on the board for the

If he is elected mayor, the council would have another vacant seat. The new council would either appoint a new member or hold a special election if Marchand vacates his council seat to become mayor, officials said.

Hickman previously lost the mayoral race in 1999 to incumbent Cathie Brown.

McKernan is a graduate of . She is a student at Dominican University in San Rafael, studying political science.

Livermore mayors serve for two years.