Republican Dean Esposito defeated Democrat Roberto Alves in a tight race for mayor, with a 171-vote margin, according to a preliminary analysis of the Danbury head moderator’s returns.

It was the first mayoral race in 20 years in which Danbury did not have an incumbent mayor on the ticket. The city’s Republican mayor, Mark Boughton, stepped down after 10 terms, to fulfill his appointment as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.

According to a report in the News-Times, Alves called Esposito to concede the race shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2. Esposito won with 7,194 votes to Alves’ 7,023 votes.

"I'm honored to be elected the next mayor of the City of Danbury. Thank you to Councilman Roberto Alves for a spirited campaign and thank you to the voters of our great city. Together, we will continue Danbury's success as the shining star in Connecticut," said Esposito in a social media post.

Republicans picked up 15 Council seats, according to the analysis of preliminary results, maintaining a majority on the 21-member Council.

For the position of City Clerk, Republican Janice Giegler was the winner; in the race for Treasurer, Republican Daniel Jowdy prevailed.

For City Council-At-Large, voters had to choose up to seven candidates. The winners were Republicans Michael Esposito, Jason "Jay" Eriquez, Emile Buzaid Jr., Colleen Stanley, Michael Halas, Warren Levy, and Joe Cavo.

Residents also voted for City Council representation in their neighborhoods. In these races, the winners were:

1st Ward Republicans Irving Matthew Fox and Michael Masi

2nd Ward Republicans Vinny DiGilio and Elmer Palma

3rd Ward Republicans Michael Henry and Jack Knapp

4th Ward Democrats Farley Santos and Joseph Britton

5th Ward Democrats Duane Perkins and Fred Visconti

6th Ward, Democrats Paul Taylor Rotello and Benjamin Chianese

7th Ward Republican Nancy Cammisa and Democrat Richard Molinaro

For the Board of Education, the winners were Republicans Theresa Buzaid, Michelle Coelho, Rachel Chaleski, and Democrats Joseph DaSilva Jr. and Luisa Zagottis-Britton. Republicans garnered a 6-5 majority on the Board.

For the Zoning Commission, Republicans Michael Coelho, Joseph Raya, Robert Melillo, Angela Hylenski, Milan David, and Candace Fay, and Democrats Richard Jowdy, Teddy Haddad, and Ryan Hawley were elected. For Zoning Commission Alternates, Republicans Edwin J. Duran and Bruce Bennett were the winners.

For Constables, Republicans Michael Safranek, Erin Domenech, and Louise P. McMahon, and Democrat Emile Coladarci were elected.

Al Robinson, hatictyblog.com editor contributed to this article.