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City Councilwoman Jean Stothert wins Omaha Mayoral election

Omahans on Tuesday chose City Councilwoman Jean Stothert as the city’s new Mayor.

Stothert defeated incumbent Mayor Jim Suttle by more than 12,000 votes in Tuesday’s election. Stothert, who was elected to the Omaha City Council in 2009, says she believes her message of a new direction for Omaha resonated with voters.

"Our message all along has been about change, it has been about a more vibrant Omaha, it’s been about vision and making Omaha a better place to live and work and raise a family. And I think people, they liked our message, they listened to us, and the results came through tonight. And we’re very, very pleased and very happy."

Stothert says her priorities for Omaha are lowering taxes and addressing crime, as well as restoring confidence in the Mayor’s office.

Suttle, who was elected Mayor in 2009 and narrowly won a 2011 recall election, says his administration will leave behind two legacies.

"That is getting the financial house in order and keeping the city out of bankruptcy, and those were tough decisions but I stand proud and tall on making them, and second is saving the city from 104 days of the historic flood. And we stand proud on that having saved billions of assets of this city, thousands of jobs, and 15,000 residential homes and apartments."

During the campaign between the primary and general elections, Suttle and Stothert often sparred about taxes, union contracts, and job creation.

Suttle says he’ll regroup with his staff on Thursday, then meet with Stothert’s team on Friday. She’ll be sworn in June 10 as Mayor.