INDIANAPOLIS (WISH/AP) — Joe Hogsett has declared victory in his effort to serve a second four-year term as the city’s mayor.

Hogsett, 63, took office in 2016. Previously he was an Indiana secretary of state, an Indiana Democratic Party chairman and a U.S. attorney for federal court in Indianapolis from 2010-2014.

With more than 79,000 votes counted, Hogsett held a 71% lead in Tuesday’s election.

The Republican opponent, state Sen. Jim Merritt, 60, serves parts of Marion and Hamilton counties. He is the Senate majority caucus chair.

Speaking at an election night rally for Hogsett, U.S. Rep. André Carson of Indianapolis called the mayoral campaign a “nasty race.” He also called President Donald Trump “a gangster.” Carson said he doesn’t like gangsters and neither does Hogsett.

At the rally, Hogsett thanked his family and campaign staff.

Hogsett touted his work with Republicans on the City-County Council on efforts such as hiring more police offices and adding streetlights, despite criticism from Merritt over continued troubles with violent crime in the city and the condition of local roads.

“If you are willing to do the work that makes bipartisanship real, if you are willing to seek out what unites us rather than exploits what divides us, you can make true and lasting our collective progress together,” Hogsett said.