WASHINGTON (AP) — District of Columbia voters have chosen D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson to continue serving out the term of former chairman Kwame Brown.

Mendelson, a Democrat, won a special election Tuesday, defeating frequent candidate Calvin Gurley.

Mendelson became council chairman in June after Brown pleaded guilty to bank fraud and resigned. Previously, Mendelson was an at-large councilmember. He’ll continue as council chairman for another 2 years. The office is the second-highest in city government after mayor.

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