Portsmouth has a new mayor.
Bob Lister was elected as leader of the City Council in Tuesday's municipal election. He replaces Eric Spear.
"I'm still wondering, is this really happening?" Lister said moments after the vote totals were announced.
Spear was re-elected, though he earned the second-lowest number of votes of the new, nine-member council. Portsmouth's mayor is decided by the candidate who receives the most votes.
Lister had 2,692 votes. Jim Splaine was second with 2,528—earning him the title of assistant mayor.
Lister has previously served on the council. He's a former Portsmouth schools superintendent and co-founded the Portsmouth Alternative School, which was later renamed after him.
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