DAYTON, Ohio -- Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin believes voters in the city wanted a change, and that's why they selected Gary Leitzell as the new mayor.

McLin, in office for the past eight years, said she is not bitter about losing.

Mayor-Elect Gary Leitzell sat in on Dayton’s City Commission meeting on Wednesday night, just 24 hours after being voted into the office.

Leitzell said he thinks new businesses will lead to new jobs, new home buyers and less crime.

"It's like a lease, every four years it's up. In this case, the voters said they didn't want to renew my lease," said McLin.

“I look at it this way, I won the election on $17,000 as compared to $120,000 budget that the mayor had,” said Leitzell.

She called the campaign "difficult" and said the tough economic times may have contributed to her defeat at the polls Tuesday.

In a news conference late Wednesday, McLin thanked the citizens of Dayton for their support over the years. She is keeping her professional options open for right now.

McLin also gave Gary Leitzell some advice. She said he needs to be willing to listen and to compromise. "He should be prepared for a tough job," said McLin.