Lakeland Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley won the open race to become the city’s next Mayor in Tuesday’s election.

Roberts McCarley received just over 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff out of the field of four candidates.

The next highest vote-getter was Cedrick Valrie with 19% of the vote, followed by Kay Klymko with 17% and Kaitlin Gracie Kramer with 13%, according to unofficial election results .

Mayor Bill Mutz , who has led since 2018, did not seek re-election.

Roberts McCarley appeared to have raised the most money of any candidate ever in the city’s history, the Lakeland Ledger reported last month .

Her donations of more than $91,000 came from influential contributors in Florida politics.

“Roberts McCarley has received donations from campaign committe

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