It's the start of a new beginning in Benton Harbor as far as the mayor's office but voters sent a mixed message by voted down seven proposals.

James Hightower delivered a victory speech early on Tuesday evening, saying he learned he had won by just eight votes, 681-673. He delivered the speech in front of his supporters.

Hightower ended his victory speech with, “I think it’s sending a signal to Northern Indiana and Michigan that we are a leader, and it is time for change. And this one is for you!"

Cooke conceded to Hightower, but did request a recount.

“If my opponent legally wins I will congratulate him,” says Cooke. “I think he ran an aggressive campaign and after the recount we'll know.”

There was some confusion when the county posted their numbers, because they did not initially include the absentee votes. And those numbers showed Cooke narrowly winning.

This would have been incumbent Mayor Wilce Cooke's third term.

Hightower's campaign supports the EFM’s actions and was pushing to vote “yes” on the six proposals on the ballot, that will update the city’s charter and reorganized the government. All of the proposals failed, except for the millage for the library.