Mayor-elect Bing thanks Detroit

November 4, 8:23 AMDetroit Top News ExaminerDarlena Taylor-Bonds

Bing, 65, defeated accountant Tom Barrow in Tuesday's nonpartisan general election, a race in which the incumbent refused to even debate the challenger.

"Tom Barrow, from my vantage point, was not worthy of a debate," Bing said last week. "I don't have time for that. I don't want to play politics."

City council also have a new president, Charles Pugh. The former TV anchor received the most votes and will replace Cockrel as council president. The top vote-getter automatically wins the council presidency. Pugh also received the most votes in an August primary.

"This election season has taught me a lot of myself," said Pugh at his victory speech. "At times, this experience has been trying. But like you, Detroit, I am a fighter, a survivor. We made it through the storm, Detroit," said Pugh at his victory speech.With 100 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday night, Pugh had 88,704 votes. Ex-Detroit Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown was second with 80,698 votes. Cockrel finished fourth.

"Obviously I was working very hard to get the No. 1 slot. But the main thing is, I'm happy to be back on City Council," Cockrel said.