NORWICH – Results from Tuesday’s elections signal big changes in store for the City of Norwich.

Republican mayoral candidate Christine Carnrike is now officially Norwich’s mayor-elect, having run unopposed for the seat held by Mayor Joseph Maiurano for nine years. In September, Carnrike was favored among Republican voters in the primary election that ensured Maiurano would not appear on the general election ballot.

Meanwhile, the two incumbent candidates running for a new term on the city’s Common Council were upset by voters in wards one and five. Democratic Ward One Alderman Bryan McCracken was defeated by Republican challenger Matthew Caldwell in a 166-76 vote; and Kecia Funaro-Burton, the Republican representative for the city’s fifth ward, was defeated by Democratic candidate David Zieno, 108-80.

In a statement thanking residents for their support, Carnrike said work is “only beginning” for the newly named administration.

“There are many challenges ahead and I am confident we (city leadership and our residents) are up to the task, and Norwich will soon be better than today,” Carnrike said. “We are not a single policy away from recovery; decisions must be made based on accurate information and real numbers. I encourage the residents to attend council meetings and especially upcoming public hearings regarding the 2016 budget that I will inherit as the next Mayor of Norwich.”