Mike Savage re-elected mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality

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

With 499 tables out of 499 reporting, Savage defeated challenger Lil MacPherson with 68.4 per 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 Streatch regained his seat with 2,245 votes against Colin Castle (395), Cathy Deagle-Gammon (1,790), Trevor Lawson (1,064), Alison McNair (160) and Steve Sinnott (263).

District 2

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

District 3

Bill Karsten had a stress-free election night. He was returned to office by acclamation.

District 4

Like Karsten, Lorelei Nicoll held her seat via acclamation.

District 5

In the race with the largest number of candidates, Sam Austin was elected to succeed the retiring Gloria 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 Mancini will hold this seat against challenger Carlos Beals. Mancini finished with 3,565 votes. Beals had 1,989.

District 7

In a rematch of the last election in this district, Waye Mason defended his seat against former councillor Sue Uteck. Mason finished with 2,962 votes to Uteck's 1,590. Dominick Desjardins received 259 votes.

Mason seemed even more excited about Lindell Smith's win, joking with CBC News that it means he'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 replace Jennifer Watts, who did not reoffer. With 35 of 35 tables reporting, Smith has 52 per cent of the vote compared to Irvine Carvery (seven per cent), Martin Farrell (one per cent), Anthony Kawalski (two per cent), Patrick Murphy (17 per cent), Chris Poole (11 per cent) and Brenden Sommerhalder (12 per cent).

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

"If I had 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 Cleary knocked off Linda Mosher, 3,741 votes to 3,634. Kyle Woodbury received 203 votes.

District 10

In a likely recount situation, veteran councillor Russell Walker received 2,007 votes to Andrew Curran's 1,992. Mohammad Ehsan received 717 votes.

District 11

Steve Adams held his seat. Adams took 74 per cent of the vote compared to challenger Dawn Penney's 26 per cent.

District 12

The six-way race to replace retiring councillor Reg Rankin was won by Richard Zurawski. His 1,606 votes topped John Bignell (669), Scott Guthrie (1,241), Bruce Holland (916), Bruce Smith (533) and Iona Stoddard (704).

District 13

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

District 14

In a race where another incumbent was defeated, former CBC reporter Lisa Blackburn's 2,062 votes topped Brad 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.