Tired of the embarrassing antics and stalled policies, Detroit voters brought in five new City Council members, including a new council president, and approved a council-by-district referendum.

And even though four out of five incumbents survived, voters sent a strong message by selecting newcomers to the top three positions. Outgoing Council President Ken Cockrel Jr. finished fourth behind former Fox 2 TV reporter Charles Pugh, who will become council president; former Detroit Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown, who will become president pro-tem, and Saunteel Jenkins, former chief-of-staff to former City Council President Maryann Mahaffey.

The top spot was in question for Pugh -- who finished first in the August primary -- after he was hit with a wave of negative publicity because of his foreclosure woes in recent weeks.

"This is unbelievable," Pugh said before a victory speech. "It means Detroit has really wanted change for a very long time."

About 200 Pugh supporters danced during a party at Seldom Blues restaurant, continually cheering: "We're No. 1!"

Pugh weathered reports that Wayne County began foreclosure proceedings against him in March for delinquent mortgage payments.

Sena Jarvis, 39, of Detroit said she backed Pugh because he's a face in the community.

"He speaks positive about the city and wants positive things for the city," she said.

Brown was the whistle-blower whose lawsuit ultimately led to the text message scandal and downfall of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

"I can't wait to get to work to help move Detroit in a new direction," Brown said.

Council members Kwame Kenyatta and JoAnn Watson hung on to the eighth and ninth spots, while Councilwoman Alberta Tinsley-Talabi slipped to 11th and was not re-elected. Incumbent Brenda Jones came in fifth place.

Tinsley-Talabi, who served four terms and was the longest-serving incumbent on the council seeking re-election, said she was disappointed in the low voter turnout, which was 22.6%.

"The voters have spoken," Tinsley-Talabi said. "I stand on my record."
(2 of 2)

Watson gathered with supporters at her headquarters on East Jefferson.

"I'm not talking right now," she said when asked about her ninth-place finish.

The top nine vote-getters will make up the panel that was guaranteed a makeover after incumbents Sheila Cockrel and Barbara-Rose Collins announced earlier this year that they would not seek re-election. Former council President Pro Tem Monica Conyers resigned after pleading guilty to federal bribery charges.

Councilwoman and Motown legend Martha Reeves lost her seat in the August primary.

Other newcomers are James Tate, a former Detroit police spokesman, and Andre Spivey, pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Detroit.

"We didn't have the money ... we didn't have the political connections ... but we had the spirit," Tate said, flanked by his family during a party at the Fort Shelby Doubletree hotel. "Today is the most perfect day ... for change."

Jenkins was upbeat at her victory party at Opus One.

"As long as I'm in one of the nine seats, I'm ecstatic that I can serve Detroit," she said. "The voters sent a clear message they don't want the same old politics."

Ken Cockrel Jr., who dropped to fourth place, had mixed feelings about the results.

"I'm disappointed because I was shooting for the No. 1 spot," he said. "I'm also happy that I'm still on the council."

Kenyatta celebrated at They Say Restaurant on Jos. Campau in Detroit. He is moving into a second term and said he looked forward to working with the new council members.

"My door is open, my staff is available to assist them. ... It's about all of us coming together."

Voters also overwhelmingly, 72%-28%, approved a ballot item that will amend the city charter to elect seven council members from districts and two at-large starting in the 2013 election.