Linda Gorton has been elected Lexington’s next mayor, according to several media outlets that called the race in her favor around 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening. She had 64 percent of the vote with 44 percent of precincts reporting. 

Gorton faced off against opponent Ronnie Bastin in the heated race to replace current mayor Jim Gray, who earlier this year announced he would not be seeking another term in office. Gray endorsed Gorton leading up to this election.

Gorton has served on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council for 16 years and previously as the city’s vice mayor for four years. Gorton, along with Bastin, is a graduate of UK.

Throughout her campaign Gorton said that if she were to be elected mayor, she would work to maintain Lexington’s growing economy and tackle the city’s crime rate in an effort to boost the its “quality of life” index.

Gorton, who worked as a registered nurse for a large portion of her career, previously told the Kernel that she would also rely on that experience in running the city.