Dan Coody conceded his race against incumbent Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan on Tuesday night.
Jordan had a sizable lead over Coody in early and absentee results. Jordan had 7,748 votes to Coody's 4,798 in early and absentee ballots.
Coody said the early vote difference was too much to overcome, and he is done running for public office. He said he will finish a home construction project he had put off for the campaign, and will then move on to building other models to demonstrate options for energy efficiency.
Coody was at a watch party at Fresco Cafe just off the Fayetteville square.
Jordan said tomorrow will be just another day at the office.
"I'm going to go to work in the morning just like I always have," he said. "I'll continue to serve the city and be a good steward of the taxpayers' money."