Joe Cox will take office as Brookhaven’s next mayor.

He collected nearly 50 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s municipal election, enough to triumph against his three opponents seeking the mayor’s office.

“Last night was a very special night,” said Cox, speaking Wednesday morning. “We thank the voters of Brookhaven for their support.”

A Republican, he’ll take office July 1, succeeding incumbent Les Bumgarner who chose not to seek a second term.

The mayor-elect described himself as ready to get down to the business of city government.

“I look forward to working with the board of aldermen to address the many issues facing our city,” he said.

Of ballots cast for mayor, Cox received 1,774 votes, just over 49 percent, according to almost complete, but unofficial, vote totals (as of Wednesday morning, election commissioners had yet to determine the validity of approximately 22 affidavit ballots)

Democratic candidate David Douglas Smith III finished second in the four-person field of mayoral candidates. He captured 871 votes, 24 percent of the ballots.

“We made a good run of it,” Smith said Tuesday night as he strolled out of the circuit courtroom in the Lincoln County-Brookhaven Government Complex, a cowboy hat perched atop his head.

Independent candidate D.W. Maxwell finished in third place with 541 votes, 15 percent. Rose “Polly” Powell, also an independent, captured 408 ballots, 11 percent of the votes.

Maxwell is the current Ward Five alderman. With his defeat in the mayor’s race, he won’t have a seat in city government when new terms begin in July.

In Ward Five, Maxwell will be replaced by Fletcher Grice.

Looking ahead to the beginning of his term, Cox said enacting an ordinance regulating liquor sales will be the first major item with which he’ll be involved.

During Tuesday’s election, Brookhaven voters approved the sale of alcohol within the Brookhaven city limits. Aldermen will now have the option of restricting alcohol sales to restaurants or allowing package stores.

“It’s been very controversial,” Cox said of the liquor referendum. “Both sides make good, valid points. Brookhaven is a unique city and we want the best ordinance that will fit our town.”

Joining Cox as a new face in city government will be Bobby Bell who won the seat of police chief in Tuesday’s election.

Bell, the current assistant chief with more than 30 years on Brookhaven’s police force, defeated Ted Goleman by a margin of 61 percent to nearly 39 percent of votes.

Bell received 2,199 votes and Goleman 1,503.

The veteran police officer offered thanks to his supporters and said he’ll be working closely with current Police Chief Pap Henderson throughout the next month.

“I’ll get with the chief and get ready to take over and start working,” Bell said.

First on his agenda, Bell said he plans to begin implementing campaign pledges. These include an increased use of technology and a larger force.

Tuesday was also a good night for incumbents, with all winning re-election.

Alderman at Large Karen Sullivan received a second term, Mike Jinks is returning as city clerk and Ward Six Alderman David Phillips will be back to the city board.

The Republican Sullivan, who also won a contested primary in May, fended off two challengers Tuesday. She received 51 percent of votes.

Her Democratic challenger Andre’ Spiller finished with 40 percent of votes and independent candidate Ed Thompson with about 8 percent of votes.

As she begins her second term, Sullivan said the experience earned during her first will allow her to hit the ground running.

Aside from helping write a liquor ordinance, Sullivan said one of her major priorities will be continuing to push for improved code enforcement throughout the city.

She also offered high words of praise for her backers.

“I just have the best supporters in the world,” she said.

With 55 percent of the ballots, GOP incumbent clerk Mike Jinks weathered a challenge from Democrat Maxine McCoy Jones,.

Jinks thanked his supporters and said he believes the transition to a new mayor will go smoothly.

Otherwise Jinks, who has been city clerk since 2004, doesn’t foresee much changing at the clerk’s office.

In Ward Six, the incumbent Phillips won re-election with 56 percent of votes. An independent, he defeated Democratic challenger David McCoy.

Phillips described himself as humbled by the support of his constituents.

“I’d like to assure them that I will do everything in my ability in the next four years to earn their trust and confidence,” he said.