SACRAMENTO -- As in the presidential race nationally, voters opted for change over experience Tuesday in voting for first-time candidate Kevin Johnson over two-term Mayor Heather Fargo.

Johnson led Fargo 57.1 percent to 42.3 percent with 97 percent of precincts counted early Wednesday, giving an acceptance speech at 11 p.m. before getting an official concession from Fargo.

"People are excited about change," Johnson said in later remarks to the media. He said he'd be able to work with a city council that largely backed Fargo, and praised her for her years as mayor.

Johnson said he'd immediately begin a transition process, noting that he's set to be sworn in as mayor in three weeks.

"We'll meet tomorrow, and my goal is to hit the ground running," he said.

In her concession speech, Fargo thanked her supporters, campaign staff and family, and said she believed the city would do well under new leadership.

"It's been an incredibly good, exciting experience for me, and frankly, I've been good for the city," Fargo said to cheers from supporters, her eyes moist. "Sacramento is a great city, and it will continue to be a great city."

Though Fargo said earlier in the week that she was optimistic even though polls showed her behind, she never led once results began coming in after 8 p.m.

She said she'd tried to reach Johnson but hadn't yet heard back. She waited for Johnson to finish his televised acceptance speech, delivered from a restaurant a few blocks away, before beginning hers, also on television.

Johnson said winning the mayor's job was something he would've been hard pressed to imagine as a boy growing up in Oak Park, one of Sacramento's poorer neighborhoods, and even later when he became an NBA All-Star with the Phoenix Suns.

"Being elected mayor is by far the greatest accomplishment, because it's about serving the city and the people," he said. "I hope it's a great example for other young people out there, that with hard work, a good education and good parenting, they can go far."

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