Like residents of neighboring Indianapolis, Lawrence voters on Tuesday toppled a Democratic mayor in favor of a Republican challenger.

Former Lawrence Township Assessor Paul Ricketts defeated Mayor Deborah Cantwell (pictured), who was seeking her second term. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Ricketts had 51 percent of the vote; Cantwell had 43 percent.

Ron Ryker, an independent candidate, had 4 percent, while Chris Ward, a Libertarian, received 2 percent.

Recent TV campaign ads against Cantwell questioned whether her decision to have Lawrence buy a water utility back from a private company would save residents money.

When Cantwell won the mayor's office four years ago, she was buoyed in part by her arguments against the city's deal to let the company take control of the utility.

Cantwell recently was named in a lawsuit filed by two Lawrence police officers -- including a former chief -- with one alleging age discrimination and the other alleging superiors tried bullying him into supporting allegations against the first.

Ricketts and his supporters celebrated Tuesday night what he called a new path for the city.

"(I'm) very, very happy for the workers, my family, and most of all for the citizens of Lawrence. I think we can take the city in the right direction now," Ricketts said.

Other Mayoral Races In Indiana:

Muncie: With all precincts reporting, the race was too close to call. Democrat James Mansfield Jr., director of Muncie's visitors bureau, led Republican Sharon McShurley by a nine-vote margin. Republican Mayor Dan Canan did not seek re-election after three terms. Thirteen provisional ballots had not been counted in the totals.

Anderson: Democrat Kris Ockomon, a city police detective, defeated Republican Mayor Kevin Smith, a former city police officer.

Martinsville: Phil Deckard, a Republican who was Martinsville mayor from 1987 to 1995, soundly defeated three opponents to return to the office. The 67-year-old had defeated incumbent Shannon Buskirk in the Republican primary in May.

Carmel: Republican Mayor James Brainard won his fourth term, defeating Democrat Henry Winckler and independent Marnin Spigelman.

Columbus: Democratic Mayor Fred Armstrong won a fourth term against Republican Mark L. White, a first-time candidate.

Bloomington: Democratic Mayor Mark Kruzan won a second term against Republican David Sabbagh, who teaches at Ivy Tech State College.

Kokomo: Democrat Greg Goodnight defeated Republican Rick Hamilton, president of the Kokomo/Howard County Chamber of Commerce. Republican Mayor Matt McKillip lost in the May primary.

Lebanon: Republican John Lasley defeated Democrat Roger Neal and independent candidate George Piper, a former managing editor of The Lebanon Reporter. Mayor Jim Acton did not seek a fifth term.

Tipton: Democrat Dan Delph defeated Republican Angela Grosvenor, who retroactively changed her plea in a drunken-driving case to meet state election law.

Fort Wayne: Democrat Tom Henry beat Republican Matt Kelty, who was indicted on campaign finance and perjury charges after winning a tight GOP primary. Democratic Mayor Graham Richard did not seek a third term.

South Bend: Democratic Mayor Stephen Luecke, who has led the city since 1997, defeated Republican Juan Manigault, the former head of a regional workforce training group.

Terre Haute: Republican Duke Bennett defeated Democratic Mayor Kevin Burke by 99 votes in a rematch of the 2003 campaign.

Evansville: Democratic Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel won a second term against Republican David Nixon, who ran without the support of the local GOP organization.

Elkhart: Democrat Dick Moore, a former city fire chief, beat Republican Jim Pettit, a city councilman. Republican Mayor Dave Miller did not seek a third term.

Richmond: Democratic Mayor Sally Hutton won a second term against Republican Rick Thalls, a police officer who has never held political office.

New Albany: Former Mayor Doug England, who defeated current Mayor James Garner in the Democratic primary, defeated Republican Randy Hubbard, a former Floyd County sheriff.