Los Angeles voters selected Councilman Eric Garcetti to become mayor after a race with the city controller that broke spending records.
With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, the City Councilman garnered 54 percent of the vote and his opponent, City Controller Wendy Greuel, netted 46 percent of the vote.
"Thank you Los Angeles--the hard work begins but I am honored to lead this city for the next four years. Let's make this a great city again," Garcetti, 42, wrote on Twitter early Wednesday.
Decision 2013: Election Results | Full Coverage
He will inherit a city still struggling to pull itself from an extended fiscal slump.
The contest to succeed outgoing Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who leaves office at the end of June with high marks from his constituents, broke spending records as outside contributions topped $33 million.
Greuel would have become the city's first female mayor, if elected. She called Garcetti early Wednesday to concede, The Los Angeles Times reported, citing a Gruel campaign source.
In their sprint to the finish line after two years of campaigning, both Democratic contenders with similar voting records tried to differentiate themselves from each other in down-to-the-wire pitches to undecided voters.
Greuel had racked up endorsements from the L.A. Chamber of Commerce, the Daily News and high profile figures including former President Bill Clinton, Magic Johnson, and U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer.
Garcetti had the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the L.A. Times and Newark Mayor Cory Booker in his corner. The fluent Spanish-speaker had talked during the campaign about his paternal grandparents' emigration from Mexico.
Although the race was too close to call Tuesday night, Garcetti was optimistic as he addressed his supporters.
"If this (lead) holds, and it looks like it will, on July 1, we will assume the responsibility of creating jobs, of balancing the budget, of keeping the streets safe, and of improving the quality of life for all Angelenos," he said.
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Photo Credit: AP