Former Anaheim City Councilman Tom Tait easily won the race for mayor Tuesday, sweeping ahead of his two opponents.

As of Thursday morning, with all 177 precincts reporting, Tait had 55.6 percent, and his closest opponent, former City Councilwoman Shirley McCracken, had 31.1 percent. The self-acknowledged longshot in the race, Dennis Fitzgerald, had 13.3 percent.

Tait, a former member of the City Council, ran with the backing of termed-out mayor Curt Pringle and the city’s business establishment, including Disneyland and the Chamber of Commerce. He also was the candidate with the most money.

But, he said, his main issue was “kindness,” and he wanted to change the way those in government positions treat the citizens they serve.

McCracken stressed ordinary people in her campaign, emphasizing the need for basic community services like parks, graffiti, tree trimming, police staffing and libraries.

She said she would work to make sure city staff listened to all residents.

— TRACY WOOD

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