Nancy McFarlane will succeed Charles Meeker as mayor in what Meeker called "a great victory for the City of Raleigh."
McFarlane took 61.1 percent of the votes. Her closest challenger, Billie Jean Redmond, conceded with just 29.57 percent of the votes.
Dr. Randall Williams held 9.21 percent of the votes.
"It's humbling, for sure, to know that many people came out to support you," McFarlane said shortly after she learned Redmond had conceded.
She added, "But it's not me, it's the direction that Raleigh is going that people are really happy with."
Meeker served as mayor for 10 years but decided not to run for re-election. Under his watch, the city saw the revitalization of Fayetteville Street and the additions of an amphitheater and convention center in downtown.
"There will be new projects in terms of apartment projects, and probably less in terms of new development downtown with public money," Meeker said after McFarlane's win. "It really is time for private development to take over down here."
McFarlane says her task will now be to unite the sprawling city.
"I really feel that we are a city of many different neighborhoods, characteristics, needs and wants, but embracing all of those differences is what makes us one big city," McFarlane, who lives in North Raleigh, pointed out.
"I want us to really feel like one city -- not inside or outside the Beltline."
McFarlane is the city's second female mayor. Isabella Cannon served one term as mayor until 1979.
Also in Raleigh political races:
* Mary-Ann Baldwin (33,589 votes) and Russ Stephenson (31,492) led the voting for two at-large seats on the City Council. Paul Fitts received 17,926 votes.
* In District A, Randy Stagner received 8,373 votes and Gale McKoy Wilkins 5,767.
* In District B, John Odom ran unopposed and received 5,994 votes.
* In District C, Eugene Weeks led with 5,271 votes, which was 56.6 percent.
* In District D, Thomas Crowder ran unopposed and received 5,893 votes.
* In District E, Bonner Gaylord ran unopposed and received 7,797 votes.
* A transportation bond won with 67 percent of the vote.
* A Raleigh housing bond vote won with 62 percent of the vote.
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