Elyria Mayor-elect Kevin Brubaker carried bulk of precincts with less than half of eligible voters casting ballots

Elyria Mayor-elect Kevin Brubaker carried 19 of the city's 31 precincts Tuesday, according to unofficial Lorain County Board of Elections results. Brubaker, a Democrat, won in the city's east and southeastern communities, carrying the bulk of Wards 1, 3, 4 and 7 to make up his 6,514 votes to unseat incumbent independent Frank Whitfield. Whitfield held the city's western half, with wins in the bulk of Wards 2, 5 and 6 to make up his 6,022 votes. Challengers Republican Alice Gobeille and Independent Bill Grace did not win in any precincts. Gobeille won about 13 percent of ballots cast, while Grace garnered nearly 3 percent. Overall turnout in Elyria stood at nearly 45 percent, but broken down by ward, Brubaker won in the areas with higher voter participation. Ward 1, in which about 48 percent of eligible residents voted, along with 58 percent in Ward 3, 36 percent in Ward 4 and 46 percent in Ward 7 — all went to Brubaker. Ward 2, in which about 32 percent of residents cast ballots, along with 28 percent in Ward 5, and 36 percent in Ward 6 — went to Whitfield. In a statement on his Facebook page Wednesday, Brubaker thanked those who had supported him to get across the finish line. Brubaker won nearly 44 percent of the vote, while Whitfield held about 40 percent, according to unofficial results. "I know not every Elyrian voted for me in this election. As your mayor, I will strive to serve all Elyrians with honor, integrity, and hard work," Brubaker wrote. "We all want what is best for Elyria, and it will take all of us working together to make it happen."