Dennis Tyler, a former Muncie firefighter who went on to serve in the Indiana General Assembly, stopped Mayor Sharon McShurley's re-election bid today and became the city's first Democratic mayor in 20 years.
McShurley, a former provost at Ball State, conceded the race in a tearful speech to supporters at about 7:40 p.m., saying her administration improved Muncie during her four years in office.
"It has been an honor to have served this community," she said. "We left it better than I found it, and it is because we had the greatest group of people to work with."
McShurley said now it's time to look toward Muncie's future.
"We're a country where you can express your vote because so many people died for our right to do that," she said. "Our community has spoken, and they have chosen someone else to lead the community forward."
Tyler said he wants Republicans and Democrats to work together to improve Muncie.
"The other elected officials who just happened to not be Democrats that are Republicans sitting on City Council and want to move the community forward, they can do it with me," he said. "My door will always be open... That's how we will move Muncie forward... One day at a time."
Tyler called his family to the stage as he thanked supporters at Democratic Party headquarters.
"I can't tell you what this year has been for my family, but they never put their heads down," he said.
Tyler won with 7,820 votes to McShurley's 6,032.
"This election was an election for the people by the people," Tyler said.
"Look at the diversity in this room. All ages, all sorts of income, it is amazing. and i am really overwhelmed by this."
Along with the mayor's office, Democrats won every contested seat on the City Council, resulting in a 7-2 majority on the new council.
"It's a Democratic sweep tonight," said Michael Quirk, Delaware County Democratic chairman.
Tyler's supporters cheered at a watch party at Democratic Headquarters as new vote totals came in after the polls closed at 6 p.m.
"These past few days have been very stressful and there's been a lot of work going into this," Quirk said. He noted that Tyler had raised more money than the incumbent mayor, according to campagin finance reports.
"We've been trying to stay positive the entire time."
Lisa Ryan and Siara Sparkman contributed to this story.
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