Brooklyn Center mayor re-elected in close race

Incumbent Brooklyn Center Mayor Tim Willson beat challenger Mike Elliott by 145 votes Tuesday. Willson won a third term with 3475 votes, compared to Elliott's 3330.

• Previously: Liberian roots, local politics: Mayoral hopeful tests diverse suburb

The race pitted a two-term incumbent against a political newcomer. Elliott, who emigrated from Liberia to Brooklyn Center as a child, campaigned on a theme of bringing the community together and setting a new agenda for the Twin Cities' most racially diverse suburb. Nearly 60 percent of Brooklyn Center residents are people of color, and it's home to a large Liberian community.

Willson emphasized the city's track record on redevelopment, a drop in crime and neighborhood vibrancy during his eight years in office.

Brooklyn Center voters elected an African-American woman to the city council, April Graves, 33.

"Diversity of thought, diversity of experiences is a huge asset to any kind of decision-making or problem-solving," said Graves.

In neighboring Brooklyn Park, voters re-elected incumbent mayor Jeffrey Lunde with nearly 60 percent of the vote. Challenger Joy Stephens received 8049 votes, compared to Lunde's 12,090.