HAMILTON — Donald Ryan, who was a self-proclaimed “dark horse” in Hamilton's three-way mayor's race, raced past his better-known opponents in Tuesday'selection with a strong grass-roots campaign that stressed the need for change.

        “I received no endorsements from unions or political action groups,” he said Wednesday. “All my endorsements came from the citizens. That's the way it should be.”

        Mr. Ryan, 53, a lifelong Hamilton resident, defeated Mayor Adolf Olivas, who has been on council for 18 years, and Vice Mayor Tom Nye, who was unseated by Mr. Olivas two years ago.

        Mr. Ryan received 5,000 votes to Mr. Olivas' 4,580 and Mr. Nye's 3,659 — not bad for someone who ran for public office for the first time two years ago, when he was elected to City Council.

        “People are desperate for a change in this town,” Mr. Ryan said. “My whole campaign was based on change.”

        Throughout his campaign, he emphasized the need for unity among council members, city administrators and city employees and the importance of running the city as a business.

        Mr. Nye admitted Wednesday that voters found Mr. Ryan's message more appealing than his or Mr. Olivas'.

        “It's apparent the voters were interested in change,” he said. “They're hoping he'll offer the leadership the city needs right now.”

        Mr. Olivas could not be reached for comment.

        Voters also expressed their desire for change in the City Council race. Two of the three highest vote-getters — James Noonan and Ed Shelton — were challengers. Another new face on City Council will be Christopher Flaig, who finished fourth in the 15-candidate race. Incumbent Katherine Becker came in third, and two other incumbents, George McNally and Richard Holzberger finished fifth and sixth. Archie Johnson, who was appointed to council in August, barely lost his bid for the last council seat.

        Mr. Ryan and council's three-highest vote-getters — Mr. Noonan, Mr. Shelton and Ms. Becker — will serve four-year terms, while Mr. Flaig, Mr. McNally and Mr. Holzberger will serve for two years.

        The swearing-in ceremony of Mr. Ryan and council members will occur during the first week of January. No date has been set yet.

        Mr. Ryan lives on Hamilton's west side. He and his wife, Vickie, have six sons, ranging in age from 15 to 28.

        He said his first goal is to build teamwork on council.

        “It's important to set a tone of trust and respect for each other,” said Mr. Ryan, a materials manager for Western States Machine Co. in Hamilton and majored in management and human resources at Miami University.

        He said he believes his experience in team-building in the private sector will help him unify council members.

        “We need to stop the infighting,” Mr. Ryan said. “That message was clearly sent by the people.”

        He said he became so frustrated by council's bickering that he walked out of a March council meeting.

        “That's when people came to me and said they wanted me to run for mayor,” he said.

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