Lake Charles has chosen a new mayor.

Former City Council member Marshall Simien Jr., an independent, unseated Nic Hunter, a Republican, Saturday during a run-off race needed after neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in March’s election.

Simien received 52 percent of the vote, or 7,703, during Saturday’s election. Hunter received 48 percent, or 7,049 votes, according to complete but unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office.

Simien will be the city’s 30th mayor — and is the first Black person ever elected to lead Lake Charles. Rodney Geyen served as interim mayor for a four-month period at the end of 1999 and into 2000 after Willie Mount was elected to the state Senate.

“Marshall is a good man and Lake Charles will be just fine moving forward,” Hunter said in a Facebook posting conceding the race. “I committed to him that it will be as seamless a transition as possible. My family and I are doing well and ready for the next chapter God has in store for us. I thank all my friends, family, and supporters. It’s been a great ride and we’ve accomplished a lot.”

Saturday’s voter turnout in the mayoral race was 32 percent.

Voters also elected Tommy Bilbo to the District C seat of the Lake Charles City Council in a run-off race against fellow Democrat Priscilla Sam. Bilbo received 1,281 votes, or 57 percent, to Sam’s 972 votes, or 43 percent.

Parishwide, voters approved a tax renewal that funds one-third of the Calcasieu Sheriff’s Office budget. The renewal was approved by 56 percent, or 10,381 votes.

The parishwide voter turnout rate was 15 percent.

In Westlake, voters overwhelmingly approved four 10-year renewals.

Proposition one was for a property tax that funds the city’s fire department. The measure passed by 76 percent, or 217 votes.

Proposition two, a millage renewal, funds the city’s police department. That measure passed by 78 percent, or 222 votes.

Proposition three, a sales tax renewal, funds sewerage facilities, recreational facilities and supplements pay for city employee. The proposition passed by 78 percent, or 221 votes.

Proposition four, a sales tax renewal, also funds the police department. It was approved by 78 percent, or 221 votes.

Voter turnout in Westlake was just under 9 percent.