Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has been elected mayor of Chicago in the most competitive city hall election in more than two decades.
Mr Emanuel, who is also a former congressman, trumped five rivals with 55% of the vote and avoided a run-off, with 86% of the precincts reporting.
He will now replace Mayor Richard Daley, who has been in office since 1989 and is stepping down.
Mr Emanuel needed 50% of the vote to win outright on Tuesday evening.
President Barack Obama sent his congratulations to his former chief of staff, saying the victory was well-deserved.
“As a Chicagoan and a friend, I couldn’t be prouder. Rahm will be a terrific mayor for all the people of Chicago,” said the president.
Other candidates vying for the mayor’s seat included former Senator Carol Moseley-Braun, City Clerk Miguel del Valle and longtime city official Gery Chico.
