CAPE CORAL, Fla. - There will be a changing of the guard in the leadership of the city of Cape Coral, after two incumbents went down in defeat in Tuesday's election.

John Sullivan takes over the mayor's seat after defeating incumbent Jim Burch. Sullivan took more than 60% of the vote on the way to victory.

"I think the people of Cape Coral pretty much indicated that they want change," Sullivan said.

The new mayor-elect will take the reins of a city he says has been hurting in this economy.

"What we're going to try to do is make it a more affordable place to live, we're also going to try to bring in businesses, but there are things that have to be fixed," he said.

Sullivan gained support from voters upset about rising utility rates and expansion talks, and higher tax bills.

"I think it was a referendum on a bad economy quite honestly," said outgoing mayor Jim Burch, who agrees it was likely the recession that led to his defeat.

"There's a lot of people hurting in this city and nationwide, and it's absolutely an anti-incumbent type atmosphere. We knew going in we'd have a hard time overcoming that," Burch said. The loss means an end to his two years on the council.

"For me, it's always been about the city. I don't stop caring about the city because I'm not the mayor anymore," Burch said. "You don't lose, you just change your speed a little bit."

Meantime, Sullivan looks ahead to the changes he believes are needed.

"I think we've really got to watch the spending, I think we've got to look further and deeper into contracts, and we have to start making decisions based on needs rather than wants," Sullivan said. "We've got a lot of red tape, we've got departments that have to be streamlined, we've got to get the city running from the inside out. Once we get that done, then we can bring in jobs."

The transition at city hall will be quick; Sullivan and three new council members will take their seats next Monday.