Mike Savage re-elected mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality

Mike Savage will havea second term as mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality following a strong showing in Saturday's municipal election.

With 499tablesout of 499 reporting,Savage defeatedchallenger Lil MacPherson with 68.4per cent of the vote.

Savage told CBC News the people he talked to were "generally pretty happy with the direction of the city." The economy is strong and people were proud of the work council was doing, he said.

"We're becoming more diverse, more inclusive, more green, more sustainable, more involved in supporting things like the arts and protecting green spaces," he said Saturday.

"I think we had a change election in 2012 and a lot of that change has taken place, but there's more to be done."

In the races for councillor positions:

District 1

Steve Streatchregainedhis seat with 2,245 votesagainst Colin Castle (395), Cathy Deagle-Gammon (1,790), Trevor Lawson (1,064), Alison McNair (160)and Steve Sinnott (263).

District 2

David Hendsbeewill return to office despite challenges from Shelley Fashan, Sydnee McKay and Gail McQuarrie.Hendsbeetook 49.6 per cent of the vote.

District 3

Bill Karstenhad astress-free election night. He was returned to office by acclamation.

District 4

Like Karsten, Lorelei Nicollheld her seat via acclamation.

District 5

In the race with the largest number of candidates, Sam Austin was elected to succeed the retiringGloria McCluskey as councillor in downtown Dartmouth. Austin had 2,371 votes. Other candidates were Adam Bowes (43 votes), Gabriel Enxuga (335), Ned Milburn (507), Tim Rissesco (1,672), Derek Vallis (1,068), Kate Watson (1,583) and Warren Wesson (173).

District 6

After being elected in a January byelection, Tony Manciniwill hold this seat against challenger Carlos Beals. Mancini finished with 3,565 votes. Bealshad1,989.

District 7

In a rematch of the last election in this district, Waye Mason defended his seat against former councillorSue Uteck. Mason finished with 2,962 votes to Uteck's1,590. Dominick Desjardins received 259 votes.

Mason seemed even more excited about Lindell Smith's win, joking withCBC News that it meanshe's no longer the kid on council.

"With Lindell there, it means that at 44 I'll no longer be the youngest councillor, so that's awesome," he said.

"There's no other city in Canada where you don't have at least one trouble-makin', rabble-rousin' 20-something-year-old so I'm really glad Lindell can take on that role."

District 8

Lindell Smith will replaceJennifer Watts, who did not reoffer. With 35of 35 tables reporting, Smith has 52 per cent of the vote compared toIrvine Carvery(sevenper cent), Martin Farrell(oneper cent), Anthony Kawalski(twoper cent), Patrick Murphy (17per cent), Chris Poole (11 per cent)and Brenden Sommerhalder (12per cent).

Smith joked with supportersthat he had two speeches prepared for the evening.

"If Ihad both on me, I'd rip up the 'If I lost' speech," he said."We showed that if we all work together, no matter our background, no matter our gender, no matter where we come from, we can do it."

Smith, who is African Nova Scotian, told CBC News there is cultural significance to his win.

"Our city is diverse. We have some of the oldest black communities, we have Acadian communities, we have First Nations communities. Our city is diverse itself and our council needs to reflect that," he said.

"We at least have one piece of that puzzle."

District 9

In one of the closest races of the night, Shawn Clearyknocked off Linda Mosher, 3,741 votes to 3,634.Kyle Woodburyreceived 203 votes.

District 10

In a likely recount situation, veteran councillorRussell Walker received 2,007 votes toAndrew Curran's 1,992.Mohammad Ehsan received 717 votes.

District 11

Steve Adams heldhis seat.Adams took74per cent of the vote compared to challengerDawn Penney's26per cent.

District 12

The six-way race to replace retiring councillorReg Rankin was won by Richard Zurawski. His 1,606 votes toppedJohn Bignell (669), Scott Guthrie(1,241), Bruce Holland (916), Bruce Smith (533)andIona Stoddard (704).

District 13

Deputy mayor Matt Whitman is returned to office. He received 4,088votes. Others earning votes includedPamela Lovelace(2,567) andHarry Ward (786).

District 14

In a race where another incumbent was defeated, former CBC reporter Lisa Blackburn's2,062 votes toppedBrad Johns' 2,015. Kevin Copley pulled 741 votes.

District 15

A quiet election night for Steve Craig, who was returned to office by acclamation.

District 16

Tim Outhit, likewise, could put his feet up for the evening, after being acclaimed back to council.