DUNKIRK — Incumbent Dunkirk First Ward Common Councilman may be down, but he’s not out. In a message to supporters via his Facebook pages, Don Williams Jr. considered his primary loss on Tuesday night as a minor setback.

Williams lost to the city Democratic endorsed candidate Natalie Luczkowiak, 427-266. Luczkowiak received the party nod due to Williams’ lack of recent local support for the party.

Tuesday’s numbers, however, have not deterred his ambitions for re-election. “Unfortunately, I believe I fell short of votes tonight to be on the Democratic line in November. … A lot of votes short,” he wrote in a Facebook post after learning the results. “I will be on the ballot in November on an Independent line called PplOverPolitics.”

Luczkowiak, a newcomer, was pleased by her showing. Besides winning the Democratic line, she also has the backing of the Working Families Party.

“Thank you city residents! I won 62% of the vote so far,” she said. “However, absentees ballots have yet to be counted.”

Williams could be a formidable opponent in November even on a third-party line. He has received a tremendous amout of support from some city Republicans due to his actions with this body of Common Council, many who do not support the current administration. In addition, a number of area labor leaders have backed his re-election.

He has, however, shown an unfortunate nasty side in calling Luczkowiak a “bobblehead” before he agreed to a League of Women Voters debate. For her part, Luczkowiak has kept the campaign fairly clean while citing what she considers council’s obstruction to moving Dunkirk forward.

With Williams having another chance in November, this remains a race to watch. “I’d like my supporters to know that Dems, Republicans, Working Families, Conservatives and others can vote for me then!” Williams wrote. “I still feel confident that I will be re-elected in the general election. Thank you all for your support and continued support!”