Incumbent Councilman David Trinkle, former Councilman Bill Bestpitch and lawyer Ray Ferris have won the Democratic nomination to run for three open seats on the Roanoke City Council.

In a citywide primary held today, the three – who’ve shared some resources and already worked as a team – were the top three vote-getters. Countryside neighborhood advocate Valerie Garner finished fourth, meaning she’s now out of the race.

Bestpitch, Ferris and Trinkle now face community activist Carl Cooper, running as an independent, and a Republican ticket consisting of retired Marine Col. Bob Craig, businessman Mike Powell and Roanoke County school official Tony Walker.

Democrats, whether in name or running as independents, have dominated city council elections over the last decade. The last Republicans to win election were Mayor Ralph Smith and Councilman Bill Carder in 2000.

Trinkle focused more heavily on his name recognition and a network of contacts than on fundraising and traditional campaign tactics during the primary.

Ferris entered the primary as the only candidate never to have run before, but used his legal and business connections to raise more money since Jan. 1 than the other three combined. He obtained support from Virginia Del. Onzlee Ware, D-Roanoke, and blitzed potential voters with glossy fliers.

Bestpitch took a similar approach, winning Ware’s support and starting fundraising last year. He too purchased a series of glossy fliers that were mailed to likely voters in the city.