Collin Brewer, the Cornwall Councillor who said disabled children should be "put down", has been elected by a narrow margin.
Amid heckles of "shameful" and "you are a disgrace", the Wadebridge East candidate listened as the results for his ward were read out, seeing him regain the seat he vacated when he resigned in February by just four votes.
Mr Brewer, who justified his standing for election as a chance to let the people of Wadebridge pass judgement on his actions, attributed his success to his good track record as a councillor.
However, his election has sparked a vehement reaction from disability charities with Disability Cornwall saying it was "shocked beyond words" and Mencap labelling it "horrifying".
Sarah Maguire, the woman who led the campaign against him when his comments emerged in February, said she was "surprised" after coming last out of six councillors.
While Labour candidate Adrian Jones said it was a move in the "wrong direction" for the town.
Mr Brewer, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, said he was delighted at regaining his seat but that life had been hell for him and his family since he resigned.
He said:"I had to resign at the time because of the media pressure but I felt it was right the people of Wadebridge should decide on my future and they have decided.
"I've done nothing wrong – I've apologised. The people in Wadebridge wanted me to stand and I'm proud to stand for them. (The comment) was completely out of character because I had a series of strokes, people are more susceptible to flaring up if something annoys them."
Mr Brewer stepped down as a councillor after it was revealed he said to a disabled charity worker in 2011 that disabled children cost the authority too much.
Ms Maguire, who came last with 146 votes compared to Brewer's 335, said: "Collin does have a good track record of serving Wadebridge. I expected I would do better. I am surprised, it doesn't reflect my experience on the doorsteps of Wadebridge."
In a statement Disability Cornwall said many of its members were deeply saddened. "(They) worry what this could mean for us all, with such discriminatory views held by the 'leaders' of our county. What will they think now of the people of Cornwall, who are responsible for voting for someone who holds and speaks such disparaging views?"
