NAMPA - Debbie Kling has been elected mayor of Nampa, unseating incumbent Bob Henry.
Kling received 53 percent of the vote, while Henry got 40 percent. Melissa Sue Robinson got seven percent.
Henry was first elected in 2013, and was seeking his second term.
Kling has served as the president of the Nampa Chamber of Commerce since 2012.
She told KTVB she believes it is important to have a vision for Nampa's future, and she's excited to work with organizations, city departments and residents to perfect that.
"It's important with the growth we have coming and as a city that has been there for some time, we also have aging infrastructure, so how do you put it all together? I think we need a good plan for it."
Kling vowed an all-hands-on-deck approach to tackling some of Nampa's biggest issues.
"The poverty issue and generational poverty in certain areas - it takes your educators, it takes your nonprofits it takes the agencies, it takes business," she said. "It takes us all working together, and I think that's a strength I'm going to bring, and I look forward to doing that."
The mayor-elect will not officially take office until January. Kling said she plans to use that time to set the stage for the goals she hopes to accomplish in her first 100 days as mayor.
"One of the very first things I'm going to do is implement a code of ethics for city council. I think people are looking to have leaders that they can trust, with transparency."
Just before noon Wednesday, Mayor Bob Henry's spokesperson released this statement:
It’s been a privilege to work with such great directors and employees. Getting to know them will be probably the most memorable takeaway after the four years. Nampa taxpayers are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of people working for them, and I know this will continue.
The loss is disappointing, but the people spoke, and Debbie fought hard for the mayor’s seat. Four years ago, I ran on the pledge to lower the property tax levy rate, reduce the Ford Idaho Center subsidy and rein in Urban Renewal.
With the help of the City Council, we’ve done that. I’m proud of what we have accomplished, and I will make sure the new administration has a smooth transition into office.
MORE: 2017 Elections Results