Following Tuesday's election, the City Council will soon seat five Republicans, including one from Queens' 19th district. NY1's Ruschell Boone filed the following report.

Hours after his win, Republican Dan Halloran was busy greeting residents in Bayside -- hoping to put the brutal battle for the 19th City Council District behind him.

"It's a byproduct of our times and perhaps the way campaigns are being run today but we're here about a message and that message has always been to preserve the character and quality of Council District 19's neighborhoods," Halloran said.

During the campaign, Halloran and Democrat Kevin Kim hurled accusations at each other -- charges of racism and voter fraud and Halloran's religious beliefs came into play. In the end, Halloran became the first known pagan elected to public office, beating Kim by six percent.

"I don't think there is any talk about my religious beliefs now," Halloran said.

Halloran, a former police officer turned lawyer is also leader of a local pagan group. Come January, he will replace Democrat Tony Avella who is vacating his council seat after two terms and a failed run for city mayor.

Next door in the 20th council district, the Republicans also captured a seat with Peter Koo emerging as the winner.

"It's not about Republican or Democrat. I was elected because I had experience to do the job," Koo said.

Koo, a Flushing businessman, beat Democrat Yen Chou by five percent. The win comes as a surprise to some in the area since the well financed Chou had the backing of the Democratic party and outgoing Democratic councilman John Liu, who was elected city comptroller.

Liu on Wednesday promised Koo his full cooperation.

"I plan to take Peter to City Hall whenever he wants. To make sure there is no loss of service. At the end of the day, it's about providing the service, it's not about who serves," Liu said.

But to some it's a surprise that the mostly Democratic county of Queens is sending the largest GOP contingent to the council with a total of three.

"Peter Koo and myself, in addition to the re-election of Councilman Eric Ulrich. We of course have two members of the City Council from Staten Island who are Republicans, so there is going to be a delegation of republicans to hold the line," Halloran said.

The delegation will be sworn in come January. When asked if he would use a bible during the ceremony, Halloran said he didn't know.