Danny Breen elected mayor of St. John’s

"I think people wanted the message of hope and the message of optimism and positIvity. We have lot to be thankful for in St. John's and we can be even greater.," Breen told media gathered at his headquarters. "With the plan I've put together and with the new council we can move St. John's forward and build our future."

There were 38,491 votes cast. Breen, the Ward 1 councillor before he entered the mayor’s race got 20,261 votes and former mayor Andy Wells got 12,604 votes.

"I don't see any future for me in politics at my age," Wells said at his campaign headquarters, where about 15 supporters were gathered.

 Before he addressed the media, Wells said: "Danny Breen won! OK, that's it" and retreated to a backroom.

Renee Sharpe got 5,225 votes.

Sheilagh O'Leary was elected deputy mayor by a landslide, beating Michelle Worthman 30,689 votes to 5,753.

Meanwhile, there was a big shakeup among the councillors.

Hope Jamieson beat Jonathan Galgay in Ward 2 by roughly 300 votes.

Art Puddister, Ron Ellsworth and Tom Hann all lost their council seats.

Official results will be released Wednesday.

There were 67,894 eligible voters.

In the Ward 1 councillor election, Deanne Stapleton pulled out a narrow victory over Lou Puddister, winning with 3,715 votes to Puddister’s 3,534. Nadeem Saqlain trailed with 918 votes.

In Ward 2, newcomer Jamieson unseated Jonathan Galgay, 2,989 votes to 2,674. The other candidates in a crowded field were Derek Winsor (635), Tom Badcock (485), Pamela Hodder (370), Wayne Ralph (280) and Greg Dunne (269).

In Ward 3, curling star Jamie Korab swept in with to a rock-solid win with 5,079 votes, defeating Peter McDonald (1,710) and Walter Harding (1,270).

In Ward 4, Ian Froude was elected with 3,652 votes, to Scott Fitzgerald’s 2,358.

In Ward 5, incumbent Wally Collins was re-elected with 2,286 votes, defeating Jamie Finn (1,758), Fraser Piccott (1,350), Mike Walsh (995) and Paul Dinn (971).