LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – It’s a historic night for the capital city, Little Rock has elected its first African American mayor, Frank Scott Jr.

Frank Scott Jr. defeats of his opponent Baker Kurrus with 58% of the vote following Tuesday’s runoff election. He received 22,622 votes. Kurrus received 16,282 or 42% of the vote.

Baker Kurrus conceded the race Tuesday night at Rock Town Distillery. Saying, “I came in second place.”

Scott won a plurality of votes in a five-man race in November with 37 percent of the vote, a few percentage points shy of the 40 percent needed to win the office outright. Kurrus was the second place finisher — advancing to the runoff.

Scott, 35, is a banking executive, former Highway Commissioner, and former Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Scott is Little Rock’s third African American mayor, the first to be voted to Little Rock’s highest office. His predecessors, Charles Bussey and Lottie Shackleford, were elected city directors chosen for the job by fellow board members and not by voters.

In January, Scott will replace incumbent Mark Stodola, who served three terms that started in 2007.