Recount Makes Levine New Miami Beach Mayor

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami Beach residents had to wait several days, but after a recount, Philip Levine was officially declared the city's new mayor shortly before 4 p.m. Friday.

An automatic recount was started Friday afternoon after Levine captured 50.49 percent of the vote. To win the election outright, Levine needed 50.50 percent of the vote.

The recount came after the Miami-Dade County Elections Department looked through the remaining provisional ballots. A total of six were reviewed and Levine didn't get the five he would have needed to avoid a recount. 

Looking ahead, Levine told his supporters Tuesday night after the polls closed that when he is declared the winner, there is still more work to do including filling open commission seats.

"There are some very important runoffs. And what I say to you all tonight is please stay involved over the next two weeks so we can complete the change we need to do on Miami Beach," said Levine.

According to Levine's opponent, Michael Gongora, he was outspent 10 to 1, perhaps making this mayoral election the most expensive in the Island's history.

Comedian turned politician Steve Berke came third in with a little over 12.13 percent of the vote. His dreams of creating a sky link from the beach to Miami went down with his campaign.