Fate would not decide this year’s Upper Township Trustee race.

In 2009, then-incumbent Don Klaiber found himself deadlocked with Michael McDaniels when each man garnered 1,272 votes. It came down to a coin toss and McDaniels emerged the victor.

Tuesday’s election had the two men battling once again, and again it was a close race. When all ballots were counted, Klaiber defeated McDaniels 1,114 to 1,085, a margin of only 29 votes.

“We won’t be flipping a coin this time,” Klaiber said. “I’m happy to be back.”

Klaiber has served as an Upper Township Trustee for 24 years before being defeated by McDaniels.

Ackerman received the most votes with 1,154.

“This is the eighth time I have ran and this is the least voter turnout I have ever seen,” he said. “There is not a lot of contested races and usually when I run there are five, six or seven on the ballot.”

Ackerman, Klaiber and McDaniels were running for two seats. The other Upper Township Trustee, Craig Thomas, will be up for re-election in two years.

Klaiber and Ackerman will officially take office Jan. 1, 2014.