Democrat Rod Roberson elected next mayor of Elkhart

ELKHART, Ind. -- Democrat Rod Roberson will be the next mayor of Elkhart. He won 56% of the vote over Republican Dave Miller.

Roberson will be Elkhart's first African American mayor.

He spoke to his supporters after his win at the Lerner Theatre.

“I want to be the best mayor Elkhart has ever seen, that just happens to be black," Roberson said. “I want to thank everybody here and, gosh, this is beyond measure.”

It has been four years since Elkhart had a Democratic mayor.

Roberson's supporters say they want to see changes in the city, with the Tolson Center and community-police relations.

Miller spoke to his supporters and thanked them after the results came in that Roberson won.

“This actually makes my life a lot easier," Miller said. “This journey has been wonderful because of all you. So thank you very much for giving me the honor of representing your best interest for the city of Elkhart.”

Miller was previously Elkhart’s mayor from 2000 to 2007.