Gallatin will have a new mayor for the first time in 12 years after Johnnie Anderson won the city's mayoral race by a margin of just 69 votes out of nearly 15,000 cast.
Anderson defeated incumbent Mayor Paige Brown and challenger Mary Genung in Tuesday's election. He said he learned of his victory around 10 p.m. that night.
"The voters had very strong feelings about where we are as a city, and they were looking for different options," Anderson said.
Anderson said his priorities in office will include building relationships with city employees and working closely with department heads. He also said he wants a different tone at City Hall.
"I want our city council to be a productive meeting every week. We're not going to be a sideshow. I don't want to be a sideshow like it's been," Anderson said.
Anderson said Brown called him Tuesday night to concede, and he said he hopes for a smooth transition. Genung also finished ahead of Brown, falling 69 votes short of Anderson.
In a statement, Genung struck a positive note despite the narrow loss: "Yes, we did have a disappointment last night by 69 votes out of almost 15,000 votes, but the campaign did not lose.. we won because we met so many wonderful people."
Sumner County Elections Administrator Lori Atchley said there are no signs of problems with the results, despite the close finish. Tennessee does not have an automatic recount triggered by a narrow margin, though a candidate could challenge the results in chancery court if certain legal requirements are met. The county had 40 provisional ballots, not enough to change the outcome in Gallatin.
"I ask that people keep me honest. I ask that people make sure I do my job and do what I said I was going to do," Anderson said.
Anderson is set to take office on Jan. 5, bringing Brown's 12 years as mayor to an end.
