Lenny Curry, the energetic Jacksonville businessman-turned chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, defeated Mayor Alvin Brown Tuesday, only the second time in recent history a sitting mayor has lost re-election.
With 193 of 199 precincts reporting, Brown called Curry moments ago to concede the race.
Curry has 51 percent of the votes.
Curry hasn't addressed the crowd yet at the Republican watch party at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in downtown.
Brown is expected at the Democratic watch party at the Jacksonville Landing soon, the media is being told.
Curry harnessed millions of dollars from most of the city's business and political establishment, some of which had supported Brown in 2011 but turned its back on him this time.
Outsiders will suggest the race -- the most expensive in city history, largely run by outside operatives -- had shades of the 2016 presidential election because both candidates have ties to national political figures.
But at home, the stakes were clear: The cash-strapped city faces a $1.62 billion debt to the Police and Fire Pension Fund. Violent crime dominates the headlines. Divides of wealth, education and race define the sea of neighborhoods in the largest city by area in the continental United States. And UF Health Jacksonville could be facing a crippling -- and imminent -- funding crisis.
Curry's campaign, centered on rescuing the city from violent crime and using his accounting background to fix financial books he said were in disarray, resonated with voters.
8 p.m. update: Duval County Democrats are watching the results from the Deep Blue club at the Jacksonville Landing in downtown, with the sounds of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" playing at the party.
But there hasn't been much to cheer for so far tonight for the Democrats, at least in the two biggest races of the night.
Mayor Alvin Brown, a Democrat, continues to trail Lenny Curry, who maintains about 51 percent of the votes now with 187 of 199 precincts reporting. Fellow Democrat Ken Jefferson, is also coming in behind Republican Mike Williams for sheriff.
The mayor hasn't been seen at the party yet.
There was a wave of cheers from the crowd at the Republican watch party at the Hyatt in downtown when the latest precinct totals were updated by the Supervisor of Election's Office.
Curry also hasn't been seen. But former Mayor John Peyton was spotted earlier.
7:30 p.m. update: Republican Lenny Curry has a slight lead over Mayor Alvin Brown, with all early voting ballots counted as well as absentee and Election Day ballots partially counted.
With 158 of 199 precincts reporting, Curry has 51 percent of the votes.
The mood in the Curry watch party at the Hyatt in downtown Jacksonville is jovial and cautiously optimistic.
7:15 p.m. update: Throughout Election Day, Republicans slowly and methodically eroded a more than 5-point turnout advantage Democrats had amassed in two weeks of early voting.
Whether it will be enough to propel Republican mayoral challenger Lenny Curry into office or if Mayor Alvin Brown can hold onto a second term should be clear in a few hours.
The GOP crushed its 2011 turnout, 81,547 compared to 87,752 today. Turnout for registered Democrats was at 91,508 tonight, still falling short of 2011's 92,214.
The other category of voters is "others." Four years ago the "others" turnout was 19,832. This time, it was 23,793. Those voters are wild card in the outcome of tight races.
(c)2015 The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.)
