WEST MIDDLESEX — Tracy C. Hemminger, a West Middlesex School Board member seeking re-election who squeaked through to the general election with a fourth-place Democratic primary finish, said he was disappointed with the results, but not just for himself.

“I don’t think the students of the district won,” said the Lackawannock Township resident.

The targets of Hemminger’s comment were newcomer Troy Mild of Shenango Township, who came in second on both the Democratic and Republican ballots, and newcomer Gina M. Reed of Lackawannock Township, who snared a third-place Republican finish.

Hemminger noted Mild has “lots of relatives” who work for the district — Mild has identified two brothers who are teachers — and was “knee deep” in the Canyon College dispute.

“If you’ve seen him at school board meetings, I don’t know how you can vote for the guy,” Hemminger said.

Ms. Reed is “on the coat tails” of Mild, Hemminger said.

Hemminger made no mention of candidate Douglas R. Hazlett’s sister-in-law, niece and distant cousins who work for the district.

Mild, told of Hemminger’s comments, responded, “That’s what you call a sore loser in the sports field.”

“I think that the people of West Middlesex, with the way they voted, noticed that change is needed on the board,” Mild said. “The people of West Middlesex School District like my points and opinion of how our school district is operating at this time.”

Mild said Hemminger was one of the four “puppets” of board President Tom Hubert, and noted that Hemminger is the brother-in-law of school board member Deb Wojtalik.

“I have no animosity toward any of them,” Mild said. “I just spoke my mind. I’m not a politician. I tell it like it is and, if you don’t like it, tough.”

Mild added that he did not run with Ms. Reed and is not even friends with her.

Ms. Reed could not be reached for comment.

Hazlett, a newcomer from Shenango Township, topped the vote list on the Democratic and Republican slates — 391 Democrat and 310 Republican — and incumbent Ms. Wojtalik of Shenango Township also made both general election ballots, with 253 Democratic votes and 159 Republican votes.

Mild attracted 337 Democratic votes and 299 Republican votes; Hemminger snagged 239 Democratic votes; and Ms. Reed garnered 201 Republican votes.

There are four open seats.

Former school board members Yvonne J. Hassell and Frank L. Harkless, both of Shenango Township, and newcomers Marko Zrile of Lackawannock Township and Dennis A. De Silvey of Shenango Township fell short. All candidates were cross-filed.

There is a remote chance that absentee votes could affect the draw. Harkless fell seven votes short of Ms. Wojtalik, who finished fourth on the Republican slate, and Reed fell seven votes shy of Hemminger’s fourth-place slot on the Democratic side.

Noting that some races have candidates separated by one or two votes, Mercer County Director of Elections and Registration Jeff Greenburg said, “Seven votes might not be enough, but it’s at least close enough that you have to look at it.”

The elections office hopes to have the absentee votes counted this week, Greenburg said.

Hazlett said he feels “humbled” by the support, but noted he was not running for political gain or ego. He said he has two kids in the district, extensive education experience — he’s a Thiel College education professor who has worked as a teacher and public school administrator — and views a school board seat as community service.

He noted his focus as a school board member would be on curriculum, textbooks and teacher development.

Ms. Wojtalik said she is glad to have won the support voters gave her considering that Hazlett and Mild are “hometown boys,” when she is a transplant.

“I feel that my integrity and my strong beliefs are what brought me in behind them,” she said.

Ms. Wojtalik said she was disappointed that Hemminger did not do better.

“I hope to continue the work that I’ve tried to do, which is to do the best for the students and the taxpayers,” she said.

Hemminger, who was way behind Mild and Hazlett even in his home township, said he hopes his participation in the school’s budget process, resolution of Superintendent Alan Baldarelli’s lawsuit against the district and naming of a new or interim superintendent help his chances in the fall.