TIFTON — The city of Tifton has a new mayor, and she’s ready to get to work.

Julie B. Smith won the race for Tifton mayor with 62% of the vote, unseating current mayor Jamie Cater by a wide margin.

“I cannot even begin to express my thanks, nor can I begin to tell you how very humbled I am for your support. But this is just the beginning,” Smith said in an interview posted in the Tifton Grapevine newsletter. “I want to say thank you to Mayor Cater for his eight years of service. Thank you to the people who said a prayer and offered help. Thank you to anyone who put up a sign, made a phone call or sent an email. I am so very grateful.”

According to the report from Tifton, Cater was gracious in defeat, personally congratulating Smith for her victory, stating she had worked hard, raised money, and energized a great group of supporters, especially young ones.

Smith takes her seat as mayor in January.