Rod Roberson (D) was elected Mayor of Elkhart, defeating his Republican challenger and former Elkhart Mayor Dave Miller with 56 percent of the vote, according to the unofficially tally.

Roberson is an Elkhart native and spent 16 years on the Elkhart City Council.

As a newly-elected Mayor, Roberson promised to build on the city’s foundation of partnerships to foster economic growth and make sure all residents have access to democratic processes, according to his campaign website.

Complete Election 2019 Results

The following statement was released by the Dave Miller campaign:

My good friends, I am sorry to have to deliver this message. Believe me when I say I am much more sorry for those of you who labored on our behalf, those of you who contributed time and money, and those of you who voted for me. I can’t express enough my appreciation to all of you. In a contest like this, there is a winner and loser. I don’t like losing any more than anybody else.

Those who cared to vote have spoken.

Elections are better if there is a spirited campaign that provides the voters with useful information, contrast, and a choice.

I am grateful God chose me to offer that choice. I am grateful to all of you who believed enough in me to enable us to run a strong, positive, visionary, professional campaign. I am proud of our effort, and proud of all of you who gave so much to bring us so close.

Though it didn’t turn out as we hoped, I know it will have lasting positive effect on my family and me and hopefully on all of you and our beloved city.

The best part about running for office has been making new friends and getting reacquainted with so many old friends. I have had the time of my life. It has re-energized me in a way that I don’t know what else could have.

This journey has been wonderfully fun!